Past Hosts

Denise Thomas | 2023

Denise Thomas is the Founder and Owner of The Effective Communication Coach a consultancy focused on transforming emerging and existing professionals into extraordinary leaders by mastering the art of effective communication. With twenty years of experience within Fortune 100 companies, Denise has honed the ability to deliver and receive messages across language, cultural, and communication-style barriers. She has been recognized for excellence in leadership from companies including Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, PepsiCo, General Electric, and MolsonCoors. Denise continues her focus on coaching people by traveling and teaching effective communication to professionals worldwide including Tel Aviv Israel, Cartagena Columbia, and Cape town, South Africa. 

Denise has supplied her expertise to the National Urban League, Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institute, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. She currently consults for R.W. Baird, Southern Company and Northwestern Mutual amongst other highly regarded employers. Denise has been recognized with multiple awards by the Milwaukee Business Journal including 2019 Woman of Influence and Top 100 Power Brokers for 2018, ‘19, ’20, ’21 and ’22. She also received Milwaukee Magazine’s 2019 “Women of Distinction”, and BizStarts “Inspiring Entrepreneur” award. The Milwaukee Times Newspaper recognized Denise for her “Excellence in Business” during their 35th Annual Black Excellence Awards. 

Denise is a Facilitator at St. Norbert College as part of the School of Business’s Center of Exceptional Leadership and co-hosts the “Truth Be Told” morning talk radio show on The Truth 101.7FM Milwaukee. 

She serves on numerous non-profit organization’s Board of Directors and Advisory Councils including Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, The Milwaukee Ballet, TEMPO Milwaukee and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County’s Women United Leadership Council. She is also a certified Hogan Assessment Coach, Center of Exceptional Leadership 360 Feedback Coach and E-Learning Trainer/Coach. Denise is a graduate of Cardinal Stritch University in Business Management and a proud member of The Links Incorporated –Trinity (Dallas) Texas Chapter. 

She is a proud mother of two emerging leaders, her daughter Dominique and son Daren. She enjoys being a grandmother to her five-year-old English Bulldog, Earn!

Kelly Kellz | 2018

Kelly Kellz is an international superstar on the rise... Kelly is currently touring with Vivica A Fox Presents: Funny By Nature Comedy Tour... Kelly Kellz is a phenomenal stand-up comedian and now she's becoming an internet sensation as we speak... Kelly's skits are almost "unreal" you have to see them for yourself.