About Us

ABOUT YVONNE

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER | AUTHOR | CORPORATE CULTURE EXPERT

YVONNE CONTE

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Yvonne Conte is a nationally recognized corporate culture expert, motivational speaker, and author with over 30 years of experience studying the benefits of humor, laughter, and joy in the workplace. She helps Fortune 500 companies create positive environments where humor boosts productivity. Yvonne has worked with major clients like Merck, Xerox, AT&T, and Time Warner. She has delivered over 60 keynotes annually since 1990, inspiring individuals to improve their personal and professional lives through humor. Her dynamic, fast-paced presentations are filled with personal stories and life-changing insights. An award-winning author of eight books, including Joy Ride!, Serious Laughter and Bits of Joy, Yvonne has written over 350 articles and appeared on CBS, ABC, and NBC. She has spoken in 33 states and 7 countries and is also a radio and TV personality.

A dedicated volunteer, Yvonne has supported organizations like the Arthritis Foundation and Gilda’s Club, and founded Day of Joy, Inc., raising over $68,000 for local charities. Despite being an uneducated single mother, she earned her college degree at 45 and built a successful business helping others live with joy.

Yvonne’s message is simple: Life is to be enjoyed, and humor is the key to happiness, health, and productivity. Her engaging presentations inspire audiences to take positive action and lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Recognized with several awards, including the Women in Leadership Award, Yvonne is a sought-after speaker for conferences, training, and events nationwide.

TESTIMONIALS

SEE WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

“We could not have been more thrilled with Yvonne’s performance. She had the audience laughing the entire time and also took moments to deliver meaningful messages about the health benefits of laughter, the importance of spending quality time with your loved ones, and enjoying life despite any hardships that may come our way. She received a standing ovation from our audience of over 500 people. She was absolutely phenomenal.”

-Allison Pink President Women in Public Finance
“I highly recommend her as a speaker for any business that cares about their people and recognizes the human element is the differentiator to success. Yvonne drives that point home in her talk and does it in a refreshingly candid but caring way. I am grateful that my company provided me the opportunity to experience her special brand of truth!!”

Sincerely,
Monica M. Saunders
Middle Market Leader, Builders Mutual
“Yvonne was absolutely wonderful. Everyone, and I mean everyone, loved her. They can not get over how she tied her stories to our business. You covered it all. Every italian in the room related to Sunday dinners, and most still do Sunday dinners at mom’s. I look forward to seeing you at Syracuse I Day, and definitely want your book. Thanks again, you set the bar so high, not sure what we will do next year.”

– Linda Dardaris, Vice President
Manager of Carrier Relations
Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc.
“Wow! You made an impression on the staff of Gingerbread House, Thank you.”

– David M. Cole
Director
The Gingerbread House
“Yvonne you were the hit of the weekend! thanks for setting the tone! Evaluations were extremely positive and participants had a great weekend. I enjoyed working with you and look forward to working with you again in the future. “

– Laura Fasano Director of Program Development YMCA of Greater Rochester Association
“Thanks, Yvonne. We’ve gotten many positive comments – some have told us it’s one of the best Leadership Forums we’ve ever had! I’d love to bring you back for the rest of the employees (and the laugh circle!).

Also, we thank you for the delightful gift of your books – signed and all! “

– Sue Torrell-Szarek, PHR & SHRM-CP
“Your Keynote address at Auburn Community Hospital’s Women’s Health Institute was absolutely perfect. You had the audience completely engaged and inspired. You set a very happy environment for the remainder of the conference thank you for that! The evaluation forms gave you rave reviews. Here are just a few samples:”

"excellent, engaging, funny, heartwarming.”

"What a great inspiration, it's not what life brings, but how you deal with it! How can you top this?"

"Excellent speaker. She raised my spirit!"

"Yvonne is the best most sincere, loving person! You can have her back anytime."

"Amazing job! Kept everyone's attention, lots of laughs and positive vibes. I feel everyone left with a new life perspective. I know I sure did!”
-Judith A. Santillo: Director Volunteer Serivces/ Community Relations Auburn Hospital
“MY PHONE IS BLOWING UP …thank you so much for such a fun evening…every person sitting there has their own story they call their life …you gave them the gift so many of us forget the permission to laugh and be happy …thank you sounds so insignificant but its all i have…God bless you in the work u do i…n terms of the fact i cant remember what i had for breakfast and i remembered you from 8 years ago i think God has blessed you multiple times ❤❤❤”

-Teresa Blank Abraham House Hospice care Utica NY

MORE ABOUT YVONNE

Yvonne has volunteered for the Arthritis Foundation Joints in Motion, Heart Association Heart Run, Vera House and Gilda Club. She served on the Monroe Community College Foundation Alumni Council, and Camilus Chamber of Commerce Board and as Director of The Vineyard Art Show. She lectured for Communication Classes at Monroe Community College, is the founder and Director of Day of Joy, Inc a not for profit 501c3 organization that has given away over $20,000 to local charities helping women and children live better lives. She is a member of Greater Syracuse & Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.

An uneducated single mother since 1975, Yvonne managed at the age of 45 to get her college degree and create a wonderful business helping other people enjoy life. As a motivational humorist, keynote speaker, author and grandmother to three handsome boys, she takes her message of humor and joy to corporations and organizations nationally. Yvonne’s message is that life is to be enjoyed, appreciated and there is something fun and interesting to do around every corner!

Over one million speeches are delivered to businesses groups every year in the US. 90% of them are forgettable. Yvonne’s audiences are entertained, energized and moved to take positive action in their lives. She promises to improve the way people live, work and play by changing the way they look at the world, causing them to be happier, healthier individuals. Happier people are more productive. She is a sought after motivational speaker for conferences, conventions, company training and other events conducting 60 keynotes a year at major conferences.

While Yvonne is a hilarious speaker she takes very seriously the business of being a professional. She refers to her work as hilarious with a point. Her business skills were recognized by Empower Federal Credit Union, MVP Health and WTVH 5 CBS News, awarding her with the 2010 Women in Leadership Award, By the International Zonta Organization with The Zonta Crystal Award and by the Business Journal with the SOHO Unique Small Business Award. Organizations nationwide invite Yvonne to encourage employees to live life better leaving audiences inspired, motivated and roaring with laughter. Happier employees are more productive employees.