Services
Overview
Motivational
Speaking
The E’s of Life, the Stitching of Your Own Quilt
Colleen offers a very lively motivational presentation backed by her life experiences. Many points of the presentation begin with the letter "E."
Here are just a
few of Colleen's "E's" of Life:
Envy: Don't let envy get
in your way because you concentrate more
on the person you envy than on yourself,
which only results in wasted Energy.
Excuse: When a winner makes
a mistake, he says "I was wrong." When a
loser makes a mistake, he says "It wasn't
my fault."
"Thank you for participating in our Ag
Day Forum. Your presentation was
Excellent
and Everyone
thoroughly Enjoyed
it. I look forward to
Engaging
in the Efforts
of your book Endeavor."
Kerry A. Bell, First
Trust and Savings Bank, Watseka, Illinois
"Thanks again for a super key-note speech.
You were marvelous and so comfortable doing
it."
Jim Davis, Attendee,
Pennsylvania State Association of County
Fairs
"You gave a great presentation at the Ag
Breakfast. I appreciate your mentioning
and asking for support of the Livestock
Invitational that we have proposed. Keep
giving that message!"
Chuck Hartke, Director,
IL Dept of Agricultures
Comments from Morton Community Bank employees after Colleen's "E's" of Life presentation:
"I
learned to be more elastic and flexible.
I need to listen to other people's ideas
and don't get set in my ways. Always listen
to other employee's ideas about the department
and how it can be run more efficiently."
"I really enjoyed the presentation given
by Colleen Callahan. She has a lot of good
information that will stay with me."
"I enjoyed Colleen as a speaker, and
she kept the attention of everyone extremely
well."
"In the New Accounts department, most of
Colleen's "E's" are necessary. Experience,
education, enthusiasm, being explicit when
explaining types of accounts. Employees
working together with energy, not envy or
excuses."
Facilitating Debate
Colleen Callahan has long been facilitating debate during her broadcast work. Issues discussed frequently require a "point/counterpoint" approach. Through Colleen's questions, reviews and summaries, her audience is more informed and better prepared to determine their own opinion on the subject. She creates a comfortable environment in oftentimes difficult situations.
Connecting People
Colleen Callahan has been connecting
people throughout her career. She has informed
and educated her listeners and viewers by
introducing them to subjects, locations,
knowledge and opportunities they otherwise
would have never "met." She can do the same
for your audience.
"There is no one better than Colleen Callahan
when it comes to connecting people. During
the 10 years that Illinois Central College
hosted "Fields of the Future," Colleen was
the catalyst that connected students with
potential employers, sponsors with potential
customers, and the college with its community.
With one finger on the pulse of these various
groups and one eye on the future, she showed
us how we could benefit one another, and
everyone came out a winner."
Dr. Thomas K. Thomas,
President Emeritus, Illinois Central
College
"Colleen Callahan is a great business partner.
During our ten years with the 'Fields of
the Future' project, Colleen devoted a tremendous
amount of time and energy connecting WMBD
Radio and Illinois Central College to our
agricultural community. She was a strong
advocate of education and the learning process.
She enabled our students to meet with business
people. She provided opportunities for business
people to meet their customers and also
to promote their support of education for
their future employees. Through her continued
support, our industry knows this community
college has an agriculture/horticulture
program with a future."
Don Jenkins, Professor,
Illinois Central College
Building Relationships

Colleen Callahan has been building relationships
her entire life. Some would say that Colleen
blends personal, professional, political,
academic and collegiate relationships into
friendships.
"Colleen has devoted her career to establishing
positive relationships. She is known as
a friend by widely varied people, from 4-H
members in her home county to the CEO's
of major companies. She has the poise and
experience to bring consensus to difficult
situations. Her understanding of people,
agriculture and rural America give her a
perspective that can be used to solve problems
or advance a cause. She is a person who
can unite a group and bring their goals
to a positive outcome. I value her as a
professional colleague and a personal friend."
Ken Root, Executive
Director, National Association of Farm Broadcasters
Coordinating Events
Colleen Callahan coordinates events by
taking her broadcasts on the road. Some
of her programs have included Fields of
Future, The Centennial Farm Tour, County
Fair Tour, Agri-Woman of the Month, and
The Weather/Marketing Seminar. Serving as
emcee at hundreds of meetings and banquets
throughout the United States, Colleen is
considered one of the most effective "masters
of ceremony" on the circuit.
"Thank you for your appearance at our annual
meeting! Despite the stressful conditions,
I was amazed on how relaxed and ready you
were. Perhaps it comes as a result of the
number of years you have been on the air;
you are unflappable. Good job!"
Tom Steever, American
Farm Bureau Federation
Motivating People
Colleen
Callahan has been motivating individuals
with her public speaking skills for many
years. Following her principle of "leading
by example," her successes and disappointments
as a woman breaking into a male-dominated
profession serve as the background for her
inspirational message.
"Thanks for the masterful emcee job at our
annual meeting in Reno. It is always a pleasure
to work with a professional communicator
who can make long luncheons motivational
and informative. We felt like you were able
to inspire our audience and make the event
successful."
-Ron G. Francis, Director
of Public Affairs, National Association
of Conservation Districts
Personal Coaching for Media Interaction
Who better to trust with advice on how
to present and handle yourself in front
of the media than an experienced media professional.
Colleen Callahan brings her wisdom from
being on the other side of the microphone
to you. By identifying subject matter on
which you will likely be questioned, she
can coach and help you present the best
image with the most confidence. Colleen's
personal training of an individual will
drastically increase his or her comfort
level in front of the media and help their
message be communicated more effectively.
"Colleen provides a motivational message
that is uplifting and energetic. Her life
experiences provide a story line that all
audiences can understand. At the completion
of her message, you feel as if you have
known Colleen all your life. This connection
allows a person to become motivated and
willing to make a difference."
Curt Oldfield, Dean
of Instruction, Spoon River College
Television
Hosting
TV specials and on-location productions.
For 25 years, Colleen hosted a daily feature
segment on WMBD-TV (Peoria, IL) and WCIA-TV
(Champaign, IL). Whether live or taped,
the segments were personal yet topically
informative. Many interested in the markets,
say that they stopped each day at lunch
to watch her daily market reports, and her
news reporting was award-winning:
•Oscar in Agriculture, Television category
•American Women in Radio and Television
Commendation Award
•Farm Wife Financier", 1st place, Television
News Category
"As the guest-host of a "live" national
television program about pork production,
Colleen helped drive home the key messages
we wanted to communicate and asked the questions
producers wanted to hear. When it comes
to understanding and communicating the issues,
Colleen really puts her talents to work.
Colleen combines talent,
intellect and a passion for agriculture...all
of which make her a great partner for us
to work with."
Cindy Cunningham, National
Pork Board
"Colleen's unsurpassable professionalism
makes her a key part in the success of the
many agriculture broadcasts we have worked
on together. Over the years I have continued
to keep a working relationship with Colleen."
Ed Mathias, Production
Manager, WCIA-TV
Audio Album
Have you wished that you would have taken
time, when you had the chance, to document
the history of your family or the life and
times of a family member or friend? Have
you gone through pictures and wished that
you knew more about what the pictures showed?
Have you thought about "interviewing" your
Dad, Mom, Grandma, or Grandpa, but were
just too nervous to ask or too uncomfortable
to actually ask the questions? Colleen Callahan
can create your "Audio Album" for you.
"I want to thank you so very much for our
time with you and the recording of the interview.
Dad died on March 21. Time is precious,
and we want to thank you from the bottom
of our hearts for the time with you."
Chris McMillen
Community Connections
Logan County Fair
"On
Friday I heard your interview from the Logan
County Fair-the Cullers folks, the people
with the french fries. I'm from Lincoln,
you may or may not remember-and I had thought
the Cullers had retired years ago. (Did
they used to come to the HOI fair, or did
I just imagine that?)
Anyway, my brother worked for them in 1963
(before you were born). He was 16 years
old, and getting a job at the fair was a
big deal in Lincoln. I would go see him
while he was working, and point him out
to my friends. (I was 9 then).
The Cullers would often give me free fries.
I remember them costing 20 cents then. Your
interview with them inspired me to drive
to Lincoln today and walk around the fairgrounds
and of course, have some french fries. My
brother died in 1986, and all my other Lincoln
relatives are long deceased, so it was truly
was a trip down memory lane. Nice work,
Colleen."
Henry Balfanz
Newton Co. Fair
Kentland, Indiana
on behalf of WGFA

“Colleen’s Cuban Crossing”
Available now as a 5 part series.
-
click here
- provided
by WGFA - or copy
RSS URL to use in the program of your
choice
http://www.wgfaradio.com/category/podcasts-audio-links/feed/ - or simply listen below...
CUBAN AGRICULTURE slideshow below created by Gary Goodwin.
“From the Midwest to the Middle East”
In November of 2003, Colleen was invited by the Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman to accompany her to Afghanistan and Iraq. Travelling on Blackhawk helicopters, C-130’s and in heavily secured SUV’s over a five-day period, Colleen shares what she saw and what she learned in “From the Midwest to the Middle East.”
Click on any thumbnail below to begin slideshow
More Information
"Just wanted to say thanks
again for speaking at our symposium. I’ve heard nothing but
rave reviews from attendees. Everyone said it was like you were
speaking right to them – especially me. You’re an inspiration
to all of us striving for success in the Ag industry. Thanks
again for everything."
Megan Cooper
