"GoNoodle is dedicated to delivering impactful experiences for all children that empower them to be the strongest and best version of themselves. Given this, it is so important to understand the challenges our kids face, and how they are affected by them. Cortney delivered an outstanding educational experience that helped our entire organization to better understand the impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on the children we serve. I would highly recommend her for any organization that is committed to best serving and enhancing the lives of kids."
-Denyse Ferguson
Senior Vice President Health Partnerships
GoNoodle
"Cortney delivered an outstanding educational experience that helped our entire organization""
-Denyse Ferguson
Senior Vice President Health Partnerships
GoNoodle
"Her story provided our teachers with a live example of how important it is to not only understand how adverse childhood experiences can effect a child, but also to understand how each child deals with those experiences differently "
"Cortney's story is real and powerful. Her story provided our teachers with a live example of how important it is to not only understand how adverse childhood experiences can effect a child, but also to understand how each child deals with those experiences differently.
The most powerful part of her story was how the life of this student, who had an ACE score of a 9, was changed one day due to a caring adult who took the time to really get to know her and provide her with guidance and direction.
I highly recommend her program for both faculty/staff and students to further understand ACEs and resilience.
-Julie Kraemer,
Superintendent
Hutsonville Illinois School District
-Julie Kraemer,
Superintendent,
Hutsonville Illinois School District
"Cortney was such a fantastic end to our Mental Health Awareness Week at Purdue University. She spoke about topics that really resonated with our audience of college students and was incredibly engaging. Everyone in the room walked away learning something new, from how to cope with stress to recognizing toxic cycles that start with ourselves. She brought so much energy and charisma and was such an amazing speaker!”"
-Noor Abdullah
Director of Education
Timmy Global Health
Purdue University
-Noor Abdullah
Director of Education
Timmy Global Health
Purdue University
"Cortney was such a fantastic end to our Mental Health Awareness Week at Purdue University."
"I witnessed Cortney changing students' lives the day she spoke."
"Cortney's presentation improved the school culture by facilitating a better understanding of personal circumstances and exponentially increased empathy amongst the student body. I witnessed Cortney changing students' lives the day she spoke. "
-Victoria McDonald
Principal
Robinson High School
-Victoria McDonald
Principal
Robinson High School
"Her program was amazing and she was so impactful to our girls!"
"I spent months communicating with Cortney to bring her to campus and I don't regret it. Her program was amazing and she was so impactful to our girls! It included an interactive exercise that was fantastic and even helped me get to know a member of my executive board better. I'm so thankful that Cortney came to UNF to talk to us and I can't wait to bring her back!"
-Desiree Miller
Panhellenic VP of Programming
University of North Florida
-Desiree Miller
Panhellenic VP of Programming
University of North Florida
"I was so inspired by Cortney's message! Talk about a woman with true resilience, Cortney sure knows how to arouse the emotion of her listeners! She knew just how to bring the realities of her story to life, while also offering glimpses of hope along her journey that will surely inspire others to break free from the trauma in their lives. Cortney speaks with so much confidence, authenticity, and honesty that you'll walk away wanting to go make a positive difference in the lives of others and our world! Highly recommend hearing her speak!"
-Elizabeth Hughes
Director of Healthy Living Initiatives
YMCA of Middle Tennessee
-Elizabeth Hughes
Director of Health Living Initiatives,
YMCA of Middle Tennessee
"You'll walk away wanting to go make a positive difference in the lives of others and our world!!"
"Cortney has an impactful story of overcoming adversity and perseverance. She authentically paints a picture that resonates with people of all ages and background. Cortney is passionate about ACEs awareness and helping others overcome their past. She is a motivating speaker who will leave the crowd empowered to tackle their dreams despite their upbringing."
-Sarah Patton
Social Bliss Events
"She authentically paints a picture that resonates with people of all ages and background."
-Sarah Patton
Social Bliss Events
"Cortney and I coordinated an event for her to come speak at my university. We stayed in communication over a period of months, throughout which she was, without fail, responsive, organized, and overall a pleasure to work with. Being from a competitive university that brings about constant stress and stimulation, her message struck a chord with myself and all students in attendance. I am so glad we were able to have her at our event."
-Meg Tharp
President
Timmy Global Health
Purdue University
"Her message struck a chord with myself and all students in attendance."
-Meg Tharp
President
Timmy Global Health
Purdue University
"I recommend her presentation to any administrator who is looking for an impactful presentation for their faculty."
"As a survivor of childhood trauma, Cortney was able to deliver her story to our district faculty with complete credibility. Her story was impactful and heightened our awareness of student mental health issues. Our faculty was given strategies and tools to use to be able to help identify and assist students who exhibit signs of ACES. I recommend her presentation to any administrator who is looking for an impactful presentation for their faculty."
-Todd Rogers
Principal
Carterville High School
-Todd Rogers
Principal
Carterville High School
"Cortney did an amazing job at Herrin Jr. High School. She had the students' attention from the beginning and my faculty was wowed as well. Her message really hit home. I highly recommend her for your educational organization if you need an impactful speaker!"
-Brad Heuring
Principal
Herrin Junior High School
"She had the students' attention from the beginning and my faculty was wowed as well. Her message really hit home."
-Brad Heuring
Principal
Herrin Junior High School
"In a thought provoking, engaging, electric but balanced delivery, Cortney addressed questions that many of our students struggle with concerning pain and suffering. She offers solutions and next steps for people who have experienced traumatic events at the hands of others. She also showed how redemption and restoration are possible for those who choose to forgive and release others from the guilt and shame associated with abuse. This is one of the most impactful assemblies we have had thus far."
-Michael Williams
Campus Pastor/Bible Teacher
Lighthouse Christian School
-Michael Williams
Campus Pastor/Bible Teacher
Lighthouse Christian School
"This is one of the most impactful assemblies we have had thus far."
""With social/emotional learning being a focus more than ever in schools, we decided this year to concentrate particularly on “resilience and grit” with our students. Cortney’s presentation brought these attributes to students in a way that they will not soon forget. Her story is powerful, and students realized that if they themselves have not experienced childhood trauma, someone near them has. She allowed students to own their circumstances and realize they can always move toward a more positive tomorrow."
-Erin Basso
School Counselor
Carterville High School
-Erin Basso
Guidance Counselor
Carterville High School
"She allowed students to own their circumstances and realize they can always move toward a more positive tomorrow."
"Cortney was able to deliver a message that resonated with all the women present to remind us not only what being Panhellenic means today, but what it means for us in the future. She made us remember what we loved about our sisters and reminded us to uplift each other in a male-dominated workforce and world. Cortney is the definition of an empowered woman and her story reminds all listeners that empowered women empower women. "
-Hannah Eldringhoff
Panhellenic Association President
University of Maryland
"Cortney is the definition of an empowered woman and her story reminds all listeners that empowered women empower women."
-Hannah Eldringhoff
Panhellenic Association President
University of Maryland
"In the twelve years I've been here, this was the most attentive the students have been at an assembly, and I really think her message struck a chord with many of them."
-Jonathan Cook, MA
Robinson High School
-Jonathan Cook, MA
Robinson High School
"In the 12 years I've been here, this was the most attentive the students have been at an assembly"
"Very few times do I see students as focused and as engaged with a speaker as ours did today with Cortney. From beginning to end, you could tell she was touching hearts and connecting with students' own experiences."
-Mike Whitten
Principal
Boonville High School
"From beginning to end, you could tell she was touching hearts and connecting with students' own experiences."
-Mike Whitten
Principal
Boonville High School
"Cortney has a tremendous story to tell. Her story will benefit your students in learning how to overcome hardship and tragedy to move forward into a life full of purpose and self-fulfillment. She will inspire and demonstrate to them that no matter how hard it gets, there is possibility of renewal and success as an individual.
I hope you will give her a chance. Our students loved her speaking so much we are bringing her back next semester. The only concern that I have is that she will become so popular I will have difficulty booking her!"
-Aimee Twohig
Students Taking A Right Stand
Mt. Juliet High School
"She will inspire and demonstrate to them that no matter how hard it gets, there is possibility of renewal and success as an individual."
-Aimee Twohig
Students Taking A Right Stand
Mt. Juliet High School
"Cortney was a very personable, passionate, and kind individual who is exceptionally talented at connecting with others. In addition to sharing her story and advice through her presentation, she made it a point to listen to and encourage the students who attended. She brought many points regarding mental health to attention, and inspired the audience to appreciate themselves more. It was such a pleasure to learn from her life experiences, and reflect on my own life based on the ideas she presented!”
-Ananya Tadikonda
Student
Purdue University
-Ananya Tadikonda
Student
Purdue University
"She made it a point to listen to and encourage the students who attended."
"Cortney was a phenomenal speaker. She kept the attention of over 500 junior high students throughout her entire presentation. Students continue to come by my office and talk about how impactful she was, and how much they could relate to her story. Our students and faculty were both very impressed. I would highly recommend Cortney for any organization looking to make a lasting impact on young lives!"
"Students continue to come by my office and talk about how impactful she was, and how much they could relate to her story."
-Angie Fairfield,
Guidance Counselor
Herrin Junior High School
-Angie Fairfield
Guidance Counselor
Herrin Junior High School
"Cortney Edmondson provided our Panhellenic community with an intimate, personal, and engaging conversation on the importance of Authenticity in our personal lives and community. She dove straight in with a vulnerable experience that she kept to herself for years. The relatableness of her fears hit close to home as we often desire acceptance, approval, and affirmation. Through Cortney’s words, our Panhellenic collegiate members discovered that there is an important truth behind our stories. We should not mask our stories in fear of being shamed or judged. Through a series of interactive exercises, Cortney challenged us to realize that we have to accept ourselves and share our stories in order to be the best and most authentic version of ourselves.
-Casey Carroll
Panhellenic Council VP of Membership
Kennesaw State University
-Casey Carroll
Panhellenic Council VP of Membership
Kennesaw State University
"Cortney challenged us to realize that we have to accept ourselves and share our stories in order to be the best and most authentic version of ourselves."
"We were so impressed, inspired and moved to take action in our lives around the shame we hold onto after hearing Cortney speak at Youth Villages Inner Harbour. She showed how forgiveness is a most powerful tool, specifically as a gift of freedom for the forgiver. Cortney was the perfect blend of real and inspiring, meeting our youth where they are, helping give them hope and fostering the belief that they can care for themselves, succeed in anything they strive for and affirming they have the ability to thrive despite their circumstances. Sharing her story from a place of gratitude and resilience, showing what is possible and giving real world, tangible advice and resources to our youth, Cortney was most definitely the highlight of the day!"
"Cortney was most definitely the highlight of the day!"
-Kimmy Yon,
Community Engagement Coordinator
Youth Villages Inner Harbour
-Kimmy Yon
Community Engagement Coordinator
Youth Villages Inner Harbour
"Cortney Edmondson's message really resonated with all of our students. You could have heard a pin drop as she shared her story with us. It was raw, real, and full of hope."
-Natalie Page
Principal
Sesser-Valier High School
"You could have heard a pin drop as she shared her story with us. It was raw, real, and full of hope."
-Natalie Page
Principal
Sesser-Valier High School
Cortney is a fabulous speaker who can not only command a room, but welcome it in to her life and her story. She captivates you with her words and makes you feel like you can understand what she went through, where she is, and where she is going. She truly brings life to the words that she speaks and makes it resonate with you. Even if you haven’t experienced what she has, she makes you understand it as well as what you can do with learning from it."
-Christy Shaterain
Christy Shaterian Photography
"Cortney is a fabulous speaker who can not only command a room, but welcome it in to her life and her story."
-Christy Shaterain
Christy Shaterian Photography
"Cortney recently spoke at our school to an auditorium full of freshmen. She had their full attention and it was impressive how well she was able to connect with the students. They clearly respected her honesty and boldness. The courage to tell her story and then describe the forgiveness that’s taken place in her heart since was encouraging and something that everyone listening can benefit from!
"She had their full attention and it was impressive how well she was able to connect"
-Jonathan Milewski
Wilson Central High School
-Jonathan Milewski
Wilson Central High School
"Cortney taught us to be authentic, to never try to impress someone by what or who they want us to be and to not keep secrets or lies about who we really are. This really opened my eyes, because from a young age, society told me to hide the “not perfect” aspects of my life, that no one wants to hear them or that I will be judged for them. I also loved the exercise she incorporated that allowed me to hear stories from other girls in the audience. It made me feel better about sharing my stories and my hardships with people.
She is an amazing speaker and really connected with the audience. If she came back and spoke again I would 100% recommend her to my friends and would come back to see her!"
