JoEllen Wilkins, MA

• M.A. Human Resources, Rollins College
• B.A. English, Rollins College

• Center for Creative Leadership Benchmarks 360 Assessment Suite  

JoEllen has spent most of her career working for The Walt Disney Company, fulfilling the dream of her 9-year-old self after her first trip to Walt Disney World. JoEllen started her career in retail operations at Walt Disney World and quickly found her way to the Disney University, where she was able to combine her passion for teaching and helping others with her love of Disney Parks. In her 20-year career at Disney, she has always been in roles that help employees grow and be better. For the past 10 years, she has specialized in the development of leaders. In her current role, she works with leaders throughout The Walt Disney Company to develop skills that increase their success as a leader and achieve results for the organization. 

Between stints working for Disney, JoEllen also worked at the University of Virginia’s Leadership Development Center, supporting the growth and development of faculty and staff by building leadership capabilities. Her work experiences have made her a quick study of complex organizations, and they have helped her hone her collaboration and client service skills, both of which serve her well in coaching. 

JoEllen holds a BA in English from Hollins College and a Master of Human Resources from Rollins College. She is certified to facilitate the Center for Creative Leadership’s primary leadership skills assessment tool, the Benchmarks 360 Assessment Suite.  

JoEllen is an avid traveler. She never turns down an opportunity to go somewhere new! She tries to make a difference in her community by volunteering through her church and in her neighborhood. She also tries to make the world a little better through Kiva Microfunds, both by volunteering her talents and lending to entrepreneurs.

Proudest Professional Achievement
Giving up a teaching career to move 900 miles away and work part-time in a gift shop at Walt Disney World. More than 20 years later, I’m proud to say that I’ve had the chance to do more than I ever dreamed! 

Proudest personal achievement
I was incredibly honored and humbled when friends asked me to be the guardian for their children if anything should happen to them.

Three words to describe me
Genuine, supportive, committed

I consider a day a success if 
I have had a positive impact on someone’s life or work.

Toughest challenge
Losing a parent

Favorite quote
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou