Jonena SMITH Relth

I had my own business training consulting firm for 24 years. We worked mainly in the financial and medical sectors. We documented their proprietary computer systems and wrote and delivered training for the folks using the systems. It allowed us to work with fortune 100-500 companies which meant long hours but lots fun travel!

Now I’m a volunteer for Icelandic Roots, a non-profit genealogy organization that is linking people of Icelandic descent from all over the world.

It’s nice to finally work with Icelanders who can pronounce my name! “Yo Nee Na” emphases on the first syllable. Yeah, but you can still call me “Jo Nee Na” which us the Americanized version my parents gave me.

I was the student that tried most of the AZ schools from Phoenix & Glendale Community, to NAU and ASU, and finally graduated from Grand Canyon University with a degree in Training and Development.


My most funny/embarrassing moment happened the first day of Freshman year at WHS. I tripped getting on the bus and did a face plant in front of a bus full of strangers! I still remember the horror but glad my brother drove me to school after that.