Meet The Humor Camp 2026 Team
Kermit Cole
Kermit Cole has had an active interest in humor since an early age, noticing that it arose, even and perhaps especially, in the hardest of times. During his first career (in film and television), Kermit explored this interest in “Before Comedy,” about the discovery of comedy by prehistoric clowns, and in “Living Proof: HIV and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Exploring how we face fear with laughter from these two divergent perspectives, Kermit was drawn to work deeper with people in extreme crisis, obtaining undergraduate and master’s degrees from Harvard, focusing on Psychology and Philosophy, and a post-graduate certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy from the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia. Working with people in extreme states of trauma and psychosis (and their families) for 20 years, Kermit has developed his theory of why laughter arises – and how to use it – at critical moments of healing… and of being human.
Lenny Dave
Nationally recognized Comedy Historian Lenny Dave, an entertaining, professional speaker, is the first (and only) to ever accomplish the following triple crown honor. He’s performed in 1) the “Red Skelton Entertainment Series” in Vincennes, Indiana, 2) the “Oliver Hardy Festival” in Harlem, Georgia, and 3) at “Borscht Belt Fest” in Ellenville, New York (in the heart of the Catskill Mountains). For over 35 years, utilizing comedy nostalgia as his time-tested tonic, Lenny cognitively stimulates Active Senior and Wellness audiences. In doing so, he creates a joyful sense of community among those who entered the theater as disconnected individuals. A co-founder of Humor Camp, Lenny is also Past President of AATH (Association for Applied & Therapeutic Humor). Lenny’s creative mission is simple, very “human,” and needed now more than ever: To make a positive difference in people’s lives… and to help bring an end to toxic sameness.
Julie Ostrow
Trained in Improv at The Second City in Chicago, Julie Ostrow’s “zone of genius” lies in humor, communication, and positivity. Her passion as a Humorous Speaker and Communication Coach focuses on teaching how to use improv skills and humor to improve creativity, communication and collaboration. Whether working with her corporate clients or with individuals interested in developing their interpersonal skillset, Julie is devoted to sharing how being present and truly listening are among the keys to genuinely connecting, communicating with clarity, creatively evolving and boldly advancing in one’s professional or personal world. And, being the first-ever winner of the “American Laughing Championship,” Julie knows a thing or two about laughter and levity.
David Jacobson
David Jacobson, MSW LCSW CHP, was one of Banner University Medical Center’s “Top 10” leaders as their Director of Behavioral Health Case Management. He served as Executive National Director of Marketing, Federal Chief of Service for the VA and as Manager of Social Work at UMC where he worked with patients and families of traumas including the tragic shooting event in Tucson (January, 2011) for which he was personally thanked by President Obama for his assistance. Diagnosed with a severe form of arthritis at 22 and through years of struggling with chronic pain, David has developed humor techniques that help him endure the hard times. The owner of Humor Horizons (his professional speaking/consulting business), David is the author of several books on therapeutic humor and has been featured internationally, but usually only on uneventful, slow news days.
Jodi Grinwald
Jodi Grinwald is a visionary Certified Professional Coach (CPC, ELI-MP), speaker, and founder of the Today is the Day Changemakers platform, podcast, and International Forum. She’s known for helping people move through the messy middle; the space between where they’ve been and where they’re meant to go. Jodi’s signature T.A.B.L.E.™ Methodology (Truth, Alignment, Boundaries, Leadership, Expansion) is rooted in authentic connection and real transformation. She has received the Athena Leadership Award, Asbury Park Press Influencer in Business Award, and NJ Governor’s Award in Arts Education. Jodi also co-founded the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation – helping underserved children with ongoing Performing Arts education. And yes, she can do all this with 27 tabs open and only decaf in her cup.
Dee Baker
Dee Baker is a US Air Force Veteran, founder and CEO of Beyond the Uniform, a for-profit firm elevating women veterans and professionals into unapologetic leadership. She also leads Women Operating in Overflow (WOO), a nonprofit rooted in healing-centered empowerment, to operate from a place of overflow, not survival. Dee’s work is bold but never rigid, believing that transformation often begins with a good laugh and the grace to not take ourselves too seriously. Her power phrase, “Reset, Reframe and Reclaim™,” guides women through life’s pivots with clarity, courage, and a touch of humor. Whether in boardrooms or healing spaces, Dee delivers successful strategies with soul and a contagious belief in what is possible.
Dr. Renee Cohn Jones
Dr. Renee is a Clinical Psychologist and motivational speaker who helps organizations build cultures of connection, resilience, and humor-infused leadership. With a background in emotional intelligence and inclusion, she’s known for her ability to connect across generations, industries, and backgrounds. Her work bridges emotional insight with lively storytelling, energizing teams, inspiring leaders, and sparking meaningful change. Dr. Renee dreams of a world where humor is recognized not as a distraction from serious work, but as a powerful tool for doing it better. As “Jalapena the Clown,” Dr. Renee has spent over three decades helping people laugh, connect, and heal. She’s performed for audiences of all ages and even traveled to Russia with Patch Adams, using laughter as a bridge across pain, language, and culture.
Anne Pratt
Anne Pratt took the long and winding road to become Executive Director of the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy and the Lothian and Red Skelton Gallery of Fine Arts. She began as a kindergarten teacher in suburban Chicago where she quickly learned that everything you truly need to know really is taught before recess. After 4 moves, 4 children, and the heartbreaking loss of her husband at 43, Anne chose resilience over retreat and relocated to Indiana to be near family. Armed with a can-do spirit – and zero museum experience – she stepped into leadership at the Red Skelton Museum Foundation. Fifteen years later, she’s still proving that humor heals and laughter connects visitors from around the world.
Patrick McNeil
element of fun.” He’s built his entire career around proving her right. Play
works! Armed with a Master of Arts in Organizational Development and
Leadership from Fielding Graduate University, Patrick uses tools like LEGO® Serious Play® — because, yes, building with LEGO® is a legitimate leadership development methodology. He’s also active in veteran suicide prevention through the Southwest Veterans Foundation, because some missions never end.
Judi Olive
Coming Soon: Judi’s New Website!
Beth Slazak
Will Luera
Will Luera is an improviser, director, trainer, and arts leader who has spent his career helping people connect more deeply through comedy, storytelling, and collaboration. He serves as Executive Director of Lifeline Productions, leads training and facilitation work with organizations and teams, and continues to teach and perform improv nationally and internationally. Will recalls that his first improvisation ever was in 8th grade when he got up in front of the class – improvised an entire book report presentation on a book he never read – and received an “A” from the teacher. His work now lives at the intersection of creativity, communication, and human connection – whether he’s onstage, in a classroom, or in a workshop room. At the heart of it all, Will is passionate about using the arts not just to entertain, but to build empathy, spark insight, and bring people together.
Theresa Hummel-Krallinger
Theresa Hummel-Krallinger (or “T” to anyone who’s spent 5 minutes with her) is the founder of High Five Performance, Inc. and a leadership and workplace culture consultant whose secret weapon has always been laughter. A professional stand-up comedian over 20 years, Emmy Award winner, and Wharton CHRO program graduate, Theresa brings that rare combination of business credibility and comedic instinct to everything she does; from conference keynotes to management workshops to her “Meet the Author” interview series.
Her“Make Waves” career development program has been helping employees and organizations stop treading water and start making a real splash since long before it became a book. Theresa is a longtime member of SHRM and ATD, a speaker on the HR and organizational development circuit, and spent 18 years on the faculty at Temple University. Theresa understands, “Humor isn’t a soft skill. It’s a survival skill. The best facilitators don’t train, they converse.”
Shirley Trout
(862) 352-8447 (862) 3LAUGHS