PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS FOR WOMEN
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Companies with more women in top leadership positions, on average, far outperform those with fewer.
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WOMEN, SPEAK!
visibility & advocacy programs
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staff tenure training employees and representatives of over 100 companies
collective experience
WOMENSPEAK Training gives women the best tools available for voice and visibility in the public arena.
Our mission at WOMENSPEAK Training is to ensure the messages of women are thriving; on behalf of the businesses they run, inside of the speeches they give, in service of the causes they support.
That is our cause at WOMENSPEAK Training - empowering women's voices in the realm of media, market and society.
Our services include group classes, executive coaching, curriculum design (including programming for women's series and leadership groups) and speaking engagements,
Letter from Founder
My name is Emily Donahoe-O'Keefe, and I founded WOMENSPEAK Training (WST) in 2007. WST is proud to be the first company to provide best practices public communications training for women. We believe that fluency in these skills drives top performance in women and enables organizations to catalyze untapped resources in their female employees.
A bit about our history. My interest in gendered communication difference and its effect on women's visibility was born from work with my own students, clients and colleagues. My experience told me that women speak less than men in public and that this has a negative effect on their visibility and professional advancement. I was curious to see if current research bore out what I had casually observed in my own professional life.
A robust body of research exists that confirms what I had seen. Women do speak less than men in public arenas; at work, at school, in the media, at the podium, even in big, group conversations.
But not only are women are speaking less. It's costing them. And it's costing the companies they work for.
Public communication provides the channels through which people both establish themselves as leaders by proving competence and credibility, and build organizations. It is a critical dimension of leadership, arguably the most important. *
Yet current research shows that women still struggle not only to gain access to the resources of public communication, but also to thrive within its sphere. Women consistently do not "speak up" - in part because they use, understand, and value language differently. They are often spoken over or ignored. They have unique, or "double-bind" obstacles in their pursuit of credibility in the public eye, and face an entirely separate set of image management and presentation concerns. * Consequently, women's advancement to leadership in public and professional life, and the resulting achievement of financial equality, have stagnated.
In 2010, women still earned only 77 cents to men's dollar. * Women held only 7.5% of Executive Officer top-earner positions in 2011, while men accounted for 92.5% of top earners. * There is a perceived competency gap of 70 % in fields like science, technology, engineering and mathematics, * Figures from the Women's Media Center show that globally, news stories including women tally less than 15% and are often only about appearance and family status.
This lack of visibility and voice is causally related to these low numbers. What's more, it also has a negative impact on the organizations for which women work. Companies with more women in top leadership positions, on average, far outperform those with fewer. *
WOMENSPEAK Training was established to address this lack of parity through better communications training. We have evolved traditional communication programs to meet the specific needs of the female communicator in a variety of public communications and advocacy settings.
Check out our programs page for our services. All programs are available in two-day, one-day and half-day formats. Take a look at our research tab, as well as our WOMENSPEAK Training blog. We cite and catalog up-to-date information and tools that are germane to our work, and useful resources for study for our clients.
This is out 5th year! Since 2007, we have worked with over 100 clients from all walks of professional life. Please be in touch with any questions or comments about what we offer.
And in the mean time - get talking!
Emily Donahoe-O'Keefe
Founder / Principal
WOMENSPEAK Training
clients
Employees and Representatives of following companies and/or brands:
and more...
Top level leadership requires the ability to motivate others, to communicate powerfully and persuasively, and to build an authentic voice of leadership. Classes and coaching include:
Also available as two day or half-day seminar.
On-camera sessions available.
Executive Coaching available.
Contact us at info (at) womenspeaktraining.com or (888) 211-3593 for details.
Public communication provides the channels through which people both establish themselves as leaders by proving competence and credibility, and build organizations. Classes and coaching include:
Also available as two day or half-day seminar. On-camera sessions available.
Contact us at info (at) womenspeaktraining.com
or (888) 211-3593 for details.
Public communication--whether by way of a media appearance, a company presentation or a speech for an event--is an instrument of incalculable influence. Yet current research shows that women still struggle both to gain access to it and to thrive within its sphere. WOMENSPEAK Training gives women the best tools available for voice and visibility in the public arena.
Available for all WST capabilities.
Sample Agenda for Best Practices Class Includes:
Group games and structured improvs are training exercises that drive an organization's performance.
Our "Games and Improv" classes give teams the skills for innovation, problem-solving, conflict resolution and developing emotional intelligence (EQ). On-your-feet exercises work to disinhibit participants in order to learn and practice skills that build confidence, credibility, status and connection.
Let us design a games day for your group!
Available as two-day or three-day seminar.
Mindfulness training is quickly gaining traction as a best practices skill set that drives leadership skill development, social and emotional intelligence, and stress management; all vital components of effective and credible communication. WST has expanded its capabilties to include meditation and stress managemnt programs based on repeated requests of clients for more programming. We are proud to roll out this new initiative in 2011-2012.
New Program Announcement: “The Value-Add of Meditation”
WOMENSPEAK Training has partnered with a reknowned practitioner from the Zen Peacemakers to develop secular meditation instruction as part of our Stress Management program offerings.
This program is designed for participants from all professional, cultural and religious backgrounds, and is suited to all levels of physical ability and activity.
Available as both a speaker series and a seminar, WOMENSPEAK Training’s Meditation/Stress Management program can also be tailored specifically for your event or company culture.
Michael O'Keefe
Michael O'Keefe has developed a meditation instruction style that is specifically suited for secular and business endeavors. Both program and speaking structures include mindfulness meditation instruction, skills for lateral thinking, creativity (dialoguing with accepted paradigms to come up with new ideas), and emotional intelligence (EQ). His style is frank, open, humorous, and can work in large settings with several students or on a one to one basis.
O'Keefe has been a Zen Practitioner since 1986. He ordained in the Zen Peacemaker Order under the leadership of Roshi Bernie Glassman in 1992. He is currently a Dharma Holder and about to receive successorship from Roshi Glassman. In addition he studied extensively with Taizan Maezumi Roshi, founder of the Zen Center of Los Angeles, and Paul Haller Roshi, Abbott of the San Francisco Zen Center.
Founder / President
Emily Donahoe-O'Keefe has trained CEOs, executives, authors, government officials, physicians, and public relations directors to be better communicators.
Trained by TJ Walker as senior consultant at MTW, she has lead training sessions for employees of Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, The Environmental Protection Agency, Diners Club, AGI - Lexington Insurance Company, P.F. Chang's, Cendant Corporation (Hotel Group), American Kennel Club, Illumina, E-gain, National Multi Housing Council, American Spine Association, Jefferson Pilot Financial, Sovereign Bank, Minnesota State University and The District Department of Transportation.
Her clients have appeared on NBC's The Today Show , BBC's The World , NPR's Talk of the Nation , The Sharon Osbourne Show , WB Network and New York One, and in print and internet media that includes The New York Times, MSNBC.com, CNN.com, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, The Boston Herald, The Daily News and Newsday .
Ms. Donahoe-O'Keefe has been a guest speaker at Yale University (School of Drama - Playwriting), University of California, San Diego, and shared the speaking stage with experts from Columbia University, Verisign and The Cato Institute. In 2004 she was a featured speaker for "Understanding the Needs and Mindset of the Media" at the American Strategic Management Institute's "Media Training Boot Camp" in Washington, D.C. representing Media Training Worldwide. She taught public speaking at the University of California, San Diego for two years.
Ms. Donahoe-O'Keefe has worked in promotional media for Match.com, MTV, Eureka, Procter & Gamble, Alcon and Glaxosmith-Kline. She has performed on Broadway & Off-Broadway, in regional theaters around the country, on television, film, radio - and in new media (including webisodes, and internet news). Her CD with TJ Walker Fear No More: Exorcising Your Public Speaking Demons and her chapter in Podcasting Hacks: Tips and Tools for Blogging Out Loud are both available through Amazon.
Ms. Donahoe-O'Keefe is proud to have co-created/co-managed "Lake Providence Help" during Hurricane Katrina (featured on BBC's The World and NPR's Talk of the Nation ), an effort which raised over $20,000 in donations in four days for disaster relief. She holds a Master's degree from the University of California, San Diego and a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College.
Avril Nunez
Nunez was a founding member of The Thomas Collective (TTC), where she served as both Senior Account Director and head of the firms Hispanic programming with tailored outreach to Spanish language publications.
TTC provides public relations support for a broad range of consumer products. It has created communication strategies for Food and Beverage Clients (including Vere Chocolate, Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch, Wyborowa Single Estate Vodka, Wild Turkey Bourbon, Tezon Tequila, Kahlua Liqueur, Malibu Rum and wineries from New Zealand, Australia, France, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Chile); Retail (Tanishq Jewelry, New York Burger Company) and has recently expanded to include tourism (Wine Country, Chile). Nunez has both lead and collaborated with teams that have created campaigns to put clients brands/products before the public by creating newsworthy stories resulting in media placements via print, radio, television and internet outlets. She has extensive experience representing international and domestic clients, having been instrumental in the development and execution of a number of highly successful and award-winning campaigns, including the launch of Chivas Regal 25-Year-Oldwhich involved the coordination of over 200 domestic and international broadcast and print journalists from 27 countries for a one-day event. She has organized and led press trips to Scotland, Mexico and the Philippines, and has planned and executed events in Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York in addition to overseeing the Wine Portfolio and press trip planning to New Zealand, Australia, Portugal and Paris.
Nunez was instrumental in developing and formalizing TTCs proprietary approach to solving communication challenges, and selecting and training a staff to possess highly developed public skills. She has a sound understanding of both traditional and social media, trends and the public marketplace, and unique skills in important sub-need areas (including media pitching and media training).
Avril was born in Mexico City and moved with her family to California in the early 90s. She holds a Psychology degree from Stanford University. In addition, she has conducted research for Sullivan & Cromwells M&A department and worked on brand management for Cutters Gloves, a high-performance sports glove company.
Danielle Skraastad
Danielle Skraastad is an award-winning expert in games-based learning, and has taught at both the graduate and undergraduate level. She currently works as an adjunct professor at the prestigious NYUs graduate acting program, one of the top-rated masters programs in the country.
Skraastads teaching experience also includes University of New York at Albany, University of New York at Purchase, QuestStar, 29th Street Rep, SummerStage and Stage Works Hudson.
She has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theaters around the country, and worked extensively in film and television (including Michael Clayton, 27 Dresses, Law and Order, Fringe, Unforgettable and Mercy ). She has also worked as an event planner for five years at the New York University's Graduate Alumni/ae Association in New York City.
Skraastad served in the Army Reserves as a platoon sergeant, where she oversaw 40 soldiers and called cadence for the company of 350 and was the recipient of "Soldier of the Year" award. She holds a Masters degree from New York University, and a bachelors degree from the University of New York, Albany.
Melle Powers
Melle Powers has brought diversity organization assessments to life and conducted skill-building sessions for executives and managers within a wide variety of industries. She has lead training sessions for employees of Johnson & Johnson, Abercrombie & Fitch, British Petroleum, Sodexho, Novartis, DLA Piper, Skadden Arps, SECO (SouthEastern Conference of Optometry), and BI (Boehringer Ingelheim).
An expert in the Interactive Theatre Model, she has worked as a trainer/seminar leader for training and development companies that raise awareness and develop diversity skills in clients through the use of customized scenarios that are tailored to client culture.
Powers has worked in promotional media for IBM, Snapple, Burger King, Alcon and Zofran. She has performed Off-Broadway, in regional theaters around the country, and extensively in film and television (including a recurring role on Chapelles Show, Mercy, Law and Order, Law and Order SVU and Damages on F/X).
Powers worked as the Assistant to the Director of Human Resources at American Express, Tax and Business Services for two years. She is co-founder and served as Managing Producer for five years of The Mud/Bone Collective, a theater company formed for and by artists of color whose original mission was to perform classical works by a diaspora of actors. In her role as Managing Producer, she co-produced a series of workshops of original plays including work by Oni Faida Lampley which was performed at Williamstown in the summer of 2005, and In the Continuum which was produced Off-Broadway this year by Primary Stages.
What They're Saying...
"WOMENSPEAK Training gave me valuable advice on communicating effectively in different media. I learned how to hone a message, streamline information, create sound bites and look and feel more comfortable in front of a camera. Emily was also generous with her followup and feedback. I recommend WOMENSPEAK Training wholeheartedly."
Senior Associate Editor, Kiplingers Personal Finance
"This program has helped to focus our team on the development and delivery of concise, powerful messages. The presentations have received positive feedback from our audiences and ignited them to action."
Vice-President, Prestige Beauty Company
"Phenomenal"
Lisa Miller, University of Louisiana at Monroe
"Outstanding"
Marketing Department Rep, Independent Bank
"I think anyone at any level could benefit from this training...thank you for a phenomenal training. It was such relevant information that I will practice and use in all aspects of my communications."
HR Generalist, Global Advertising Firm
"An incredible system...the best training I've ever had. WOMENSPEAK Training gave me the tools to achieve credibility with all types of audiences. My public speaking is now constructed to be as streamlined and persuasive as possible...this process has also gone a long way in reducing my nervousness. I used to dread public speaking, but now I speak whenever I can and feel like I have the best tools to do a great job."
Ph.D. Candidate, Columbia University
"It is very beneficial for women to understand how to deliver their message to a male-oriented society"
University Administrator
"Very insightful and helpful...would love to use these services on an on-going basis."
Management Supervisor, Global Advertising Firm
"Students underestimate the importance of being able to present well. WOMENSPEAK Training took my presentations for graduate school to another level: a difference that has been reflected in my grades (all A's last semester). Thanks WOMENSPEAK!"
Graduate Student, The Pratt Institute
"This instruction is expert"
Chapter President, Business and Professional Women's Organization
"This program taught me so much--from dealing with nervousness to the right and wrong words to use. I feel much better about speaking both in public and in the media!"
Marketing VP, Bank
"Excellent program not only for professional and career development, but also for personal communication and daily use"
Fortune 500 Rep
Q: Does WOMENSPEAK Training only offer programs for women?
A: No! We have public communications training programs for everyone--including media training, public speaking coaching, and communications management.
Q: Where are the online resources mentioned in the WOMENSPEAK Training session I attended and/or in the WOMENSPEAK Training Take-Home Kit I received?
A: WOMENSPEAK Training's blog is our online resource for women and public communication. The website is http://womenspeaktraining.blogspot.com
Our blog's aim is to consolidate footage, articles and discussion of women in the public arena: to catalogue and explore issues of credibility and persuasion, reaction and response, and the technical aspects of communicating with the public via a variety of media.
Please post and participate in our discussions here. Comment sections are open to anyone who wants to post, or has questions. Join the conversation--we'd love both to hear from you and to facilitate women talking to each other about visibility in the public arena.
Q: What is the Executive Package?
A: WOMENSPEAK Training provides tailored programs and private sessions for executives or anyone looking for custom-made, in-depth communications training.
The training sessions are created to focus entirely around the needs of the individual executive, the company s/he represents, the issues at hand--all designed and delivered in the most thorough and expeditious way possible.
Contact us, and let WOMENSPEAK Training design an Executive Package that is custom-made to your executive's needs.
Q: Does WOMENSPEAK Training work with students?
A: Yes! We believe the skills we teach are of vital importance both to young women and women in any kind of school environment. Our programs can be tailored to complement curricula from middle school/junior high to graduate and professional schools.
Contact us for more details--info(at)womenspeaktraining.com
Q: I work for a non-profit or volunteer organization? Isn't media training too expensive for a group like mine?
A: No! WOMENSPEAK Training makes every effort to accommodate women and organizations from all walks of professional life. In addition to discounts for non-profits, volunteer organizations and schools, WOMENSPEAK Training programs can be used to help organizations raise money for a cause. Contact us for more details--info(at)womenspeaktraining.com.
Q: Does WOMENSPEAK Training have any political affiliation?
A: No! As individuals, we are active and vocal members of our communities and parties. But WOMENSPEAK Training has no political agenda or affiliation.
Public communication--whether by way of a media appearance, a company presentation or a speech for an event--is an instrument of incalculable influence. Yet current research shows that women still struggle both to gain access to it and to thrive within its sphere.
Our mission is to give women the tools to join the conversation: for their messages whatever they may be to be equally represented in the public arena.
Now that's a goal we can all agree on!
Ways in which meditation / mindfulness practice drives corporate strategy:
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