As Steve Jobs said, you can’t connect the dots until you’re looking back. For me, there has always been a through-line of effective communication: have something interesting to say and say it well. As a former reporter, legislator, festival founder and always a teacher, being clear in your intention with different audiences is critical to success.

I believe in self-awareness, clarity of thinking, and empathy for others when trying to inform, persuade, or just converse. I look forward to sharing insights with you!

Any workshop will be tailored to your particular needs, but foundational principles remain the same.

TESTIMONIALS

“After taking your Management Communication class, I received numerous compliments from my colleagues and my entrepreneurship professor for business pitch. Starting with personal stories and establishing eye contact through effective techniques, I realized that these small adjustments had a huge impact on my presentations. Thank you again for offering such a wonderful learning experience and for your meticulous feedback, which has greatly improved my presentation skills.”

“Barbara was tough, but constructive in her feedback, and it has been of great value to me. She has also given me suggestions for how I might approach certain questions to make my responses that were good, even better.  Lastly, she was incredibly supportive and complementary when I made progress. Going into my interviews, I feel prepared and confident.”

“I wanted to share an interesting experience from yesterday. I had my first class with Professor Nick Nickitas, who teaches The Business Idea Factory.Throughout the class, I kept recalling the concepts from our sessions. A few of us MPS students had the exact same reaction, how it felt like we were watching the entire Management Communications class in action. Thanks to you, I have started viewing speeches and presentations from a new perspective.”

“Your Communications was the best class I’ve taken here at Cornell, and I would like to thank you for your candid and thoughtful feedback and guidance throughout.  I believe that I have finally found my true voice, and am certain that I will be able to apply my class experience to other important areas of my life, as well.  My only regret is that I did not take the class sooner.”

“As the year comes to an end, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I feel so grateful to have met you. You’re one of the kindest, smartest, and most supportive people I know, and I’ve learned so much from you. Being in your presence and attending your classes has been one of the most enjoyable and enlightening experiences of my life.”