Speaker Testimonials

We were lucky enough to have Michelle Icard speak to our Working Parents BRG at UL (United Labs). She was funny, humble and inspiring. During the strange and uneasy times many parents have been going through during the pandemic, the virtual schooling, quarantines etc, we could not have picked a better speaker to put us at ease. Michelle armed our parents with tangible tips, tricks and perspectives that many have already put into practice!
– Kristen Dallman, UL, LLC – UL Parents BRG

 

“Michelle was our first in-person speaker after an almost 2-year hiatus (due to the pandemic). She spent time with the parents, student body, and faculty, and she truly connected with each of these groups. She not only presented as an expert, but came across as a relatable parent, which lent credibility to her keynote. Her humor added to her relatability, and the students really appreciated her personal approach. Michelle’s strategies were practical and her advice solid. Anyone who has the opportunity to listen to Michelle speak should take advantage of the good fortune.”
– Diana Moran, Parents’ Association President, Oak Knoll School, Summit, NJ

 

“Thank you for such a valuable presentation.  It was incredibly timely and pertinent and we’ve already applied some of the approaches you discussed to communicate with our children. Every parent with whom I’ve spoken shares my enthusiasm. We know it benefitted so many and is truly a gift that will keep on giving.”
– Sarah Mumford, Parent Wellness Committee for Bryn Mawr School, Baltimore, MD

 

Michelle’s message was timely, relevant, and practical. I’ve received nothing but positive feedback, and many actually commented that they ordered the book during or shortly after her talk. As a parent herself, Michelle is relatable and authentic. Her approach is realistic, and her strategies can be implemented immediately. Hopefully, we can have Michelle back with us at St. Christopher’s in the near future!
– Jen O’Ferrall, Lower School Co-Director of Student Life for St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA

 

“Michelle Icard was the keynote speaker at an event called “Parenting in the Middle,” open to parents of teens and tweens at our all-girls school, and open to members of the general public residing in our area outside Cleveland. Advertising Michelle’s talk alone drew a phenomenal crowd – people are hungry for the information she shares. When it came to practical tips for delivering on important topics, Michelle did not disappoint. She is witty, wise, and well-rounded. We designed the evening event to include several breakout sessions after her keynote presentation. But when the school bells chimed to tell people it was time to move to the next class, nobody wanted to move. Several were still jotting down notes and pulling up Michelle’s website on their smartphones. One parent whose eighth-grade daughter has been one of our students since preschool said that Michelle’s presentation was the best we’ve ever offered. We would certainly bring Michelle back to campus again, and there’s no doubt that there’d be a line out the door to see her.”
– Kathleen Osborne, Hathaway Brown School, Shaker Heights, OH

 

Michelle’s message was timely, relevant, and practical. I’ve received nothing but positive feedback, and many actually commented that they ordered the book during or shortly after her talk. As a parent herself, Michelle is relatable and authentic. Her approach is realistic, and her strategies can be implemented immediately. Hopefully, we can have Michelle back with us at St. Christopher’s in the near future!
– Jen O’Ferrall, Lower School Co-Director of Student Life for St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA

 

Michelle Icard was the keynote speaker at an event we held for our ParentConnect ERG, open to parents of teens and tweens nationwide. We had incredible participation! The presentation focused on “Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen” with copies of her book by the same title sent to 50 lucky recipients who were chosen randomly. Michelle’s presentation was not only informative, it was funny, interactive, and touched on many important topics for parents and caregivers of teens and tweens. We could have gone on for hours longer – questions and participant interaction were still coming in strong when we had to wrap up. We have already been asked to have Michelle come back for Part II!
– Calanit Amir, Progressive Insurance Company – ParentConnect ERG

 

“This was a great program! I found it so helpful and timely. I’ve already ordered Michelle’s book to “get the scripts” for future conversations. In the meantime, I came away with definite changes I need to make when talking with my son.”
– Parent, St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA

 

“I have not heard a better talk at BB&N, which has top speakers! With reassuring humor, Michelle offered great tips grounded on clear explanations of tween/teen changes in body, mind, and identity.”
– Roger Fussa, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (BB&N), Cambridge, MA.

 

“Michelle Icard was a wonderful speaker for our community! She led a very engaging conversation with our students (over 300!) about the powerful messaging of gender stereotypes in advertisements. Our students are still referencing the images that were presented and often share new ones with me that they come across. Equally powerful was Michelle’s presentation to parents. We offered a program that was open to the community at large. With over 150 in attendance, there still was an intimacy created where parents openly discussed the challenges of parenting during their children’s middle school year. She gave practical strategies to enhance communication and problem-solving.  I fully endorse Michelle for any school environment!”
– Lorelei Lindow, Ravenscroft School, Raleigh, NC

 

“While I had many “aha” moments during the conference, one of my most meaningful realizations occurred during Michelle Icard’s keynote speech. Our job as parents and teachers at the high school level is to help our students prepare for this transition into adulthood by giving them a lot of practice with problem solving, conflict resolution, self-advocating, decision making, and discussion with other adults. Michelle hit this spot on!”
– Joy Warner, Head of School, Community School of Davidson
Fresh Take Teachers Conference

 

“Michelle understood our point of view better than our parents. My parents went to the parent talk and are now using her techniques which have helped communication and my relationship with my parents.”
– Grade 8 student, American International School of Mozambique

 

“What I took away was the “solve for the feeling” part of the problem-solving plan.  That just made so much sense.”
– High School teacher, American International School of Mozambique

 

“Thank you for coming to our PDS Middle School Faculty meeting. I feel that you are exactly what we needed. I am trained in my field and education but not necessarily in the changing landscape of “the middle”. Thank you!”
– AnneMarie Peterlin, middle school teacher, Providence Day School, Charlotte, NC

 

“Michelle, through the years, I have heard many presentations on subjects related to parenting, youth, education, learning and human development during adolescence. Yours  is – by far – the best. You have an outstanding mastery of your content, a welcoming manner in relation to your audience and reflect a sense of calling as you communicate your presentation. Your depth of desire is evident as you seek to make the lives of Middle Schoolers better and to empower parents, teachers and congregational leaders in understanding the adolescent world.”
– Dennis Foust, Senior Minister, St. John’s Baptist Church Charlotte, NC

 

“I did want you to know how much I enjoyed your talk today; as someone involved in theatre and public speaking I often find such parenting workshops tiresome, but yours was terrific. You are a really wonderful speaker and I learned a ton from your talk.”
– Sharon Green, professor, Davidson College

 

“Thank you, Michelle, for your words of wisdom at our event this past weekend. You are terrific. Every middle school mom and child need to participate in your programs! ”
– Stephanie Starr, Executive Director, Jewish Family Services of Charlotte, NC

 

“Michelle has provided workshops for faculty, students, and parents of Palisades Episcopal School. Her wisdom about middle-level students provides comfort and understanding for both parents and teachers. Her presentations are powerful and insightful. She imparts her knowledge in a witty manner that makes these very important and sometimes frightening topics fun and engaging. As a Head of School, I am pleased to have Michelle as a resource for our school community.”
– Kerin Hughes, Head of School at Palisades Episcopal School, Charlotte, NC

 

“Michelle is awesome–creative, cutting-edge and relevant. She’s great in front of a group or working one-on-one. I love working with her!”
– Mary Tribble, Founder of Girls Rock The House and Chief of Event Planning at Charlotte DNC 2012