Joni Reed

Joni Reed is a nationally recognized expert in volunteer management, engagement, and retention, known for her approach to leveraging volunteer talent within healthcare institutions. Reed's career shifted when, as a volunteer manager overseeing more than 300 senior citizen volunteers at a hospital, she identified that participants in her program possessed skills beyond their assigned tasks. Rather than limiting retired professionals to traditional volunteer roles, Reed developed programs that matched volunteers' professional backgrounds to the institution's operational needs, resulting in significant financial and organizational benefits.

Reed's pivotal insight occurred during a staff meeting where she learned about the pressures facing nurses and clinical staff. She initiated a pilot program on a single unit, gradually expanding it as staff support grew. By aligning volunteer roles with individual expertise, the hospital achieved substantial cost savings while improving patient satisfaction, employee morale, and care quality. Reed also advocated for the inclusion of college-age volunteers, creating a program that changed how hospitals in her region recruited and engaged individuals ages 18 to 25, introducing a new generation to service in healthcare environments.

Drawing from these experiences, Reed authored "The Billion Dollar Miracle," a book offering guidance to volunteer managers and healthcare administrators on cost-saving strategies without compromising care. The book details her signature programs and provides practical steps for implementation, serving as a resource for those seeking to maximize the value of their volunteer workforce. Reed wrote the book in response to positive feedback from audiences at her presentations, highlighting the demand for innovative perspectives in volunteer management.

As a keynote speaker, Reed has addressed audiences nationwide, encouraging the evolution of volunteer management in healthcare. Throughout challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued to support fellow volunteer managers, offering consulting and reinforcing the enduring importance of volunteerism. Reed's work encourages healthcare organizations to recognize the potential of volunteers when they are strategically engaged and valued.