Invite Judy Ikels to Speak

Judy Goodman Ikels is a compelling speaker who brings history to life through her deeply personal journey detailed in Death in Wartime China: A Daughter’s Discovery. In her engaging talks, Judy shares the remarkable story of her search for answers about the father she never knew—an American pilot who perished in a secret mission during World War II. Her presentation weaves together archival research, emotional discovery and a modern-day pilgrimage to China, where she uncovered a memorial to her father and connected with local villagers who continue to honor him today. Audiences are moved and inspired, reminded of the power of remembrance, resilience and unexpected connections across generations and cultures.

With extensive experience as an adult trainer with the Foreign Service Institute and in human resources,  Judy is no stranger to public speaking or navigating complex narratives. Her diplomatic career with her husband spanned continents and cultures, making her a natural at connecting with diverse audiences—whether at libraries, universities, veterans’ organizations, historical societies or literary festivals. Judy’s story resonates not only as a work of historical nonfiction but as a timeless meditation on legacy, identity and what it means to find someone you thought was lost forever.