Carol Rickard, LCSW

Career Expert

Themes

Stress Away! A New Approach to Managing Stress

The Power of Words! Communicating Effectively

LifeTools: Coping Skills that Help Us Live Well

The Wellness Tool: A Simple Approach to Living Well

Creating Positive Changes in Your Life!

About

I have spent the last 25 year educating people about health and fitness. Initially as an exercise specialist in a hospital based wellness program and then transitioning in to the health care field. My passion is in giving people the tools needed to manage life rather than life managing them. I grew up grappling for ways to cope with the challenges of my own childhood, losing a father as a teenager and having a mother whose health was very bad. By the time I was 25, I’d lost both of my parent. Along the way, I I have been determined not to end up following my parents path. Health and Wellness has become my area of life focus. I take great joy in having a positive impact on people‘s lives.

My education background includes a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in the field of Leisure Studies and a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University. I am currently licensed as a clinical social worker in New Jersey where I reside. I am the author of Creating Compliance and Life Tools Made Simple. My area of expertise is in health and wellness. I have presented my work at conferences throughout the Mid-east.

Assets

My approach is simple! Have people leave at the end of a presentation with something they can take and use to make a positive impact in their lives. Energy and passion are a big part of the experience. I involve people in my presentations so that it is an interactive experience rather than a one way process. I love to incorporate door prizes, just to surprise people! My presentation style is one that can hold peoples attention. I love to make a difference in people’s lives and this carries over to my presentations.

Rave Reviews

“Excellent speaker & motivator. Kept my attention 100% of the entire session. Important that Carol used humor as part of the group process & allowed audience participation (very enjoyable) throughout the session.”
MESTR 2006

“Excellent presentation style. Great energy, very knowledgeable. Should be considered for Keynote or End Note.”

“Really interesting, held my attention. Invite Carol to speak again!”

“Excellent”

“Fantastic”

“Very Enthusiastic”

“Great Speaker”

“Great Presentation!”

Contact Carol Rickard, LCSW

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Carol Webster

Career Expert

Themes

Effective Communications for the Global Executive

The Forgotten Factor: Cross-Cultural Communications

Preparing to Market Your Product Internationally

Introduction to Export Marketing

Tips and Tales from a Battle-Scarred Travel Veteran

About

Interested in “Going Global and Growing Global”? Carol Webster is an accomplished speaker on international marketing and cross-cultural communications, and has spoken at conferences worldwide, including the U.S., Czech Republic, Germany, Brazil, Australia and the People’s Republic of China.

Carol Webster founded Cassel International in 2003 to provide strategic planning and marketing services for businesses that wish to enter or expand their presence in the global marketplace.

Carol graduated from Georgetown University in 1978 with a B.S. in Languages and Linguistics. After serving as an executive in several industrial environments, Ms. Webster received her B.B.A. in Business from Belmont University in 1986, with a concentration in Industrial Marketing and Product Management. Intrigued by the global marketplace and its opportunities, Carol subsequently earned an MBA in International Management from the renowned Garvin School of International Management (Thunderbird). This intense program included several months at the European Business School in Germany, and a professional internship with Dr. August Oetker Nahrungsmittel. Carol also completed a Leadership Program at Ashridge Management College in England in 2001.

Carol has over 25 years of experience in the U.S. and Europe in international marketing management, in such diverse fields as engineering, automotive, apparel machinery, specialty food and industrial textiles. Her expertise lies in the areas of strategic business planning, business analysis, marketing management for consumer and industrial products, establishment and management of worldwide agent/distributor/sales networks, and corporate communications. Carol has excellent professional and personal contacts the world over, and her reputation for efficiency and performance is unmatched.

In addition to speaking English, Ms. Webster is fluent in German and conversant in both French and Spanish. She has traveled extensively for both business and pleasure (at last count more than 70 countries), and is well versed in cross-cultural communications.

Assets

I have a passion for international business and marketing! The trend toward globalization continues, and anyone and everyone should be cognizant of it, and willing to be an integrated participant!

It is my goal to help you “Go Global and Grow Global”. It’s time to reach out to potential clients and consumers in the 193 countries around the world!

I can help you take the first step into international business by giving you a plan to move forward – identifying those markets which need your product or service, developing a marketing plan to reach those markets, finding the right business partners and distribution channels, and doing it all in a culturally correct way.

Cross-cultural communications is an important part of doing business internationally, and I offer several presentations on the subject, many presented with humor, and all laced with my personal experiences over the past 25 years!

Rave Reviews

Nonwovens Conference on Filtration – Prague, Czech Republic
“I am happy to report that you received our highest speaker rating ever!” –Lutz Bergmann, President Filter Media Services

Technical Presentation – Ilfracombe, UK
“I would like to thank you for an excellent presentation. The content and style were of the correct pitch for the audience.” –Sandy Gliddon, Supply Manager

National Association of Women Business Owners National Conference – Orlando, Florida June 2005
“Many thanks to Carol Webster for her terrific presentation on the successful and well-received international panel”. –Betsy Weber, International Chair

National Association of Women Business Owners – Nashville, Tennessee July 2006
“Carol is a wonderful speaker and received rave reviews” –Letha Edwards, President

U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center – Nashville, Tennessee March 2007
“Carol is very knowledgeable about international business and we have called upon her on several occasions for speaking engagements on international business” –Ericka Stevens, International Trade Specialist

Georgetown University Alumni Teleclass -Washington, D.C. August 2007
“I just wanted to pass along some very positive feedback from your presentation yesterday! It was very well received and quite
informative. –Bridget Bowers, Direct of Alumni Career Services

Contact Carol Webster

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ChaChanna Simpson

Career Expert

Themes

Surviving and Thriving after College: 5 Tips to Making It in the Real World

Pushing Through the Negativity to Accomplish YOUR Dreams after College

About

As I transitioned from college to the work world, I found myself wondering, “What do I do with myself once I graduate? How am I supposed to adapt to moving back home when I’ve been living on campus for four years? What happens next?” Over the past seven years, I find many college graduates asking me the same questions. As a result of this need, I’ve been visiting college campuses working with students on “Real world preparation” skills and successfully transitioning into the work world.

I am a published author, popular radio Generation Y expert and editor of Twentity.com, a biweekly e-zine for twentysomethings. In response to strong demand, I’m visiting college campus talking to students addressing their concerns on transitioning from a teenager to an adult. Through my Twentity.com website, college graduates are successfully entering the adulthood via the tips they learn from visiting my site.

Assets

If you are looking for a speaker who can connect with a collegiate or young professional crowd and get them motivated to go out and take over the world , look no further.

Attendees at my presentation can expect an interactive session. I don’t just stand in front of an audience an bore them to death with statistics and handouts. No, I get them involved so they can leave having learned more about themselves and how to use that knowledge to be successful out in the real world.

Rave Reviews

“Ms. Simpson is a fabulous presenter! Energetic, attentive and knowledgeable!!!”
-Nadia Maria Matthie-Secretary, Iona College Multi-Cultural Alumni Chapter

“ChaChanna presented scenarios that we’ve all gone through after graduating from college. Useful information from a great presenter!”
-Tanisha S. McFadden-Lilly, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority member

“If anyone is going to talk about getting motivated about pursing your goals, it’s got to be ChaChanna. At the end of her presentation I was ready to take steps toward my career goals and not what my parents want me to do.”
-N’kisha V. Elie, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority member

“ChaChanna discusses a lot of topics I wasn’t even thinking about in relation to graduation. I learned a lot. I hope the college brings her back next semester.”
-Catrina Reid, The College of New Rochelle, student

Contact ChaChanna Simpson

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Daisy Saunders

Career Expert

Themes

Achieving Optimum Success in Business and in Life

Attitude: The Difference-Maker

Empowering Yourself and Others

Retaining Your Best Workers

Motivating and Appreciating Staff

About

Daisy Saunders, founder of Big Eyes International and author of Big Eyes…Big Eyedeas for Achieving Optimum Success in Business and in Life, is a speaker, trainer, and consultant who helps organizations create a culture that allows people to flourish and maximize their potential. Her personal motto is envisioning the possibilities.

For more than fifteen years, Daisy has been making a difference in the lives of people from all walks of life. She has presented keynotes, workshops, and seminars for clients such as Freddie Mac, Marriott, NASA, The John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, and numerous state and local government agencies and non-profit organizations.

The strength of Daisy’s message comes from personal experience. She was one of nine children born to sharecroppers in Quincy, Florida. By all odds, Daisy should not be a success. But, she learned early on that it was possible to take control of your life and change it. She learned the skills necessary to move from a life of mediocrity toward a rich, fulfilling, satisfying, successful life.

Daisy resides in Sarasota, Florida. She is a member of the National Speakers Association.

Assets

Whether it’s a keynote, two or three hour workshop or a full day seminar, Daisy delivers a powerful message based partly on her own personal experiences growing up in rural Quincy, Florida and her 20 + years as the Founder and CEO of an award winning training and development firm. This hands-on experience has given her an opportunity to gain an up-close and personal look at the many challenges faced by large corporations, mid to small-sized companies, and entrepreneurial firms.

Daisy has this uncanny ability to take old information, repackage it, and make it sound brand new. She delivers information in an easy to understand style that enables people to really “get it”. Her ability to quickly assess your needs…and present solutions in a down-to-earth, humorous, interactive manner…is the real key to her success. She makes learning fun. During her presentations, she blends up-to-date market trends and statistical facts, with humor and solid content, to produce the best possible program for your organization. She doesn’t just tell you what to do, she tells you how. She motivates, energizes and entertains. But most importantly, she educates. Daisy stimulates and challenges participation to take action. All of her programs are customized to meet the expressed as well as the unexpressed needs of participants.

Daisy is a great asset to your roster of motivational and business speakers. Her articles on leadership and personal empowerment have been published on-line and in several trade publications. To learn more about her speaking and consulting, visit www.bigeyesintl.com.

Rave Reviews

“Daisy exceeded our expectations. She is engaging, content-intense, and humorous. Our members walked away with valuable information they could use immediately. They are still talking about the impact Daisy’s presentation had on them.”
-DeWanda Smith-Soeder, Founder, President Black Business and Professional Network (BBPN)

“Attendees reported that they were delighted with your presentation and found you to be a breath of fresh air who gave information that would change their thinking process for ever!”
-Lynn McDonald,Event Coordinator, 2006 Women on the Scene Event

“Daisy’s greatest strength is her ability to quickly assess the needs of participants and present information in a down-to-earth, humorous, interactive manner. In her programs, there is never a dull moment. Participants laugh and learn.”
-Victoria Main, Senior Associate, Abt Associates

On a scale of 1 to 5, attendees rated Daisy’s Empowerment seminar a 5. Not one attendee was able to make any suggestions for improvement. Comments included: “Absolutely none – just more sessions by Daisy”; “this was one of the best courses ever offered”; “Excellent as is!” Daisy truly helps participants “envision the possibilities”.
-Freda M. Lockhart, Chief, Workforce and Strategic Development, U. S. EPA – Region 4

“When you opened your mouth a well of knowledge sprung out and I was able to grab my bucket and filled it with precious jewels for life’s progressing journey. Thank you!”
– M. Johnson

“Words fail me to express how grateful I am to you for your words of encouragement and inspiration at last night’s BBPN event. Not only was I inspired by your words and enthusiasm, but even more so by your beautiful spirit. You have renewed my focus and energized my determination to pursue my dreams.”
-J. Vaughan

CONTACT DAISY SAUNDERS

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Debra Fine

Career Expert

Themes

Business Networking

Building Business and Gaining Visibility in the Marketplace

Mingling

The FineArt of Small Talk

About

Author, keynote speaker and trainer Debra Fine began her career as an engineer, an occupation that allowed her to maintain her natural shyness and avoid situations that required social interactions. Debra developed her programs and wrote her book The Fine Art of Small Talk How to Start a Conversation, Keep it Going, Build Networking Skills–and Leave a Positive Impression! (Hyperion 2005) to teach technically oriented professional’s conversation skills and networking techniques that help in developing business relationships and enhancing networking opportunities.

Debra travels the world presenting both keynotes and workshops for associations and government agencies along with clients that include First Data Corporation, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, the American Bar Association, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Wells Fargo and New York University Stern Graduate School of Business. Debra’s bestseller: The Fine Art of Small Talk was met with excellent reviews in the Library Journal, USA Today, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Considered the “go to expert” for conversation skills and networking techniques, she has been featured on The Today Show, The Early Show, NPR Morning Edition and CNN and in magazines and newspapers from as far away as the Sydney Morning Herald and as close to home as the Wall Street Journal and Redbook Magazine. Second in her book series, The Fine Art of the Big Talk How to Win Clients, Deliver Great Presentations and Solve Conflicts at Work (Hyperion) arrives on book shelves January 2008. Along with her over 12 plus years membership in the National Speakers Association, Debra has been an active Rotarian and member of the Rotary Club of Southeast Denver for over 14 years. She lives in the Denver area together with her husband and their four children. View more information about Debra and The Fine Art of Small Talk at www.DebraFine.com .

Assets

Question: Do you dread networking events, meeting new people, hospitality suites & business related social functions?

Answer: Debra Fine, former engineer now nationally recognized speaker and author. Recently described by the Denver Post as “a mixture of stand-up comic, therapist and teacher”, her keynotes and workshops teach conversation tips and techniques to both the technically oriented professional and the spouse who is dragged along to conferences, conventions and banquets.
Debra’s fast paced, entertaining, informative and interactive programs focus on building business relationships and making the most of networking opportunities. Audiences laugh, learn and leave with insightful, informative tips on: striking up conversations and keeping them going, coming across as composed and self-assured when interacting with people or entertaining clients at conventions, trade shows and other work related functions, becoming “active” listeners, avoiding conversation “killers”, remembering names, making proper introductions, exiting with tact and experiencing more ease at association events, networking occasions, receptions, job interviews and meetings.

We all learn the technical skills or proficiencies required for our current or future careers, but not everyone places importance on conversation skills. The ability to talk easily with anyone is a learned skill, not a personality trait. Acquiring it will help develop rapport with decision makers, clients and customers, colleagues and staff members and leave a positive impression that lasts longer than an exchange of business cards. Partial Client List: Lockheed Martin*CVS Pharmacy*Alaska Forum on the Environment*Texas Dental Association*Texas Bookkeepers Association*Amerus Group*Dividend Capital*SunAmerica Securities*Tax Club of Chicago* International Association of Municipal Clerks*Dallas Law Librarian Association*Brinkers International*Women’s Council of Realtors*CB Commercial Real Estate*International Association of Fire Chiefs*Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce*Graduate Management Admission Council*Smeal Graduate School of Business Penn State*University of Chicago Graduate School of Business*Wells Fargo Bank*GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals*General Electric*Janus Capital Group*Washington Mutual*United States Treasury Department*Lehman Brothers*Grubb & Ellis*Faegre and Benson Attorneys at Law*Vail Associates

Rave Reviews

“Many people told me we should have given you twice as much time. In the eight years that we have sponsored this Conference, you proved to be our most popular luncheon speaker. The response was simply overwhelming”
-COLORADO SAFETY ASSOCIATION

“Your workshop had immediate results – our Specialists walked out of the classroom with more confidence in their communication skills and a better understanding of how to strengthen customer relationships. You did a great job of tailoring the presentation to our specific needs. Your ability to address the communication objectives of our employees made believers out of a potentially skeptical group of people.”
-U.S. DEPARTMENT of TRANSPORTATION

“Our capacity crowd was the highest at an AMA program in two years! Many people I spoke with following the program complimented the humorous and realistic way in which you approached the topic of conversational skills – a very relevant topic with holiday networking functions upon us. The way in which you interacted with and involved the audience was fantastic, and it brought home the point of personal connection and name recognition that you made in your presentation.”
-AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION

“I really appreciate and recognize your contribution and feel that you set a great tone for the entire conference, I hope you realize how truly wonderful you and your presentation were. The substance of your presentation was extremely helpful in beginning the networking process. You held the attention of two hundred very demanding women who rarely sit through a meeting without planning their escape, and who can hardly keep their mouths shut for a moment to listen. Indeed, they listened to you.”
-WOMEN PRESIDENTS’ ORGANIZATION

“I want to thank you again, on behalf of all of us at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, for the terrific presentation you gave us in May. I can honestly say that many of those present made it a point to come up to me after the event to tell me how much they enjoyed what you had to say and they found the information meaningful and useful. And this is a tough group to please!”
-HINKLEY, ALLEN & SNYDER LLP Attorneys at Law

CONTACT DEBRA FINE

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Dorothy M. Van Steinburg

Career Expert

Themes

What It Takes To Be a Leader

Followership: Don’t Underestimate It

Facilitating Organizational Change

First, You Must Believe!

Women, Help Your “Sister!”

About

Dorothy M. (Dottie) Van Steinburg – Served over 30 years in the area of Federal human resources management, training, and career development for the Department of Energy. She designed and developed creative and innovative solutions for human resources management issues, curriculum design, and lead the design/development of major agency Professional, Technical, and Executive Development programs. Dottie received many Peer, Team, Leadership and Training Officers Conference (TOC) awards for her work, including the DOE, “Secretary’s Gold Award.” Currently, Dottie serves as the Communications Director for the Maryland Chapter of the national American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). Recently, as President & CEO, she founded Van Steinburg Enterprises, LLC –a training and human resources management consulting firm. She is certified by the Project Management Institute as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and is pursuing the new ASTD Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) certification. Dottie achieved her Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Management and also Art from Hood College, Frederick, Md. where she is currently President, Executive Board of Alumnae/i. She is also very active on other education and arts Boards of Directors in Frederick, Maryland.

Assets

Interesting, enlightening, and fun! These are the three things that I want people to say about my presentations. I always keep this in mind for the workshops and seminars that I develop and present –even for serious subjects. I want to connect with my audience on a personal level, to bring something new or thought-provoking to their attention, to share ideas and information, and to make their time with me meaningful!

Rave Reviews

My presentations have been very well-received and I have been invited to return as a Speaker for these events/groups:

Training Officer’s Conference (TOC), Washington, DC; Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Career Council; The Partnership for Public Service, Washington, DC; Linkage, Inc., Boston, MA; Office of Personnel Management’s National Human Resources Management Conference; National Hispanic Council, Washington, DC; Department of Energy Human Resources Conferences; Department of Energy Training and Development Conferences; Department of Energy Engineering and Construction Conference; DOE Senior Executive Board;
DOE Federally-Employed Women’s Group.

CONTACT DOROTHY M. VAN STEINBERG

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