Hi! I'm Lisa (she/her). I'm that slightly weird friend who sometimes embarrasses you in public, just by being herself: a little too loud or a little too silly.
I rarely wear makeup; I embrace my naturally pink hair (okay, maybe not 100% natural); you'll often find me speaking in Danskos and my favorite swan print palazzo pants, and I love wearing giant, bold earrings, which I make myself.
I'm also intensely curious, a lifelong learner, optimist, truth-seeker, fact-checker, animal lover and tea drinker.
If you're a fan of the CliftonStrengthsⓇ assessment, you'll probably get me right away when I say:
Activator | Positivity | Communication | Maximizer | Adaptability
I’ve been speaking, teaching, training and coaching since 1992. My first six years of speaking were spent in high school classrooms, teaching teenagers about domestic violence. (I call that my "trial by fire.")
Before that, I was a theater major. Before that, I was on the speech team and performed in theater, dance and singing groups. Before that, I was a baton twirler. And before that, I was just a kid who was a ham and loved to create performances for my parents and their friends.
Let’s just say that almost every possible embarrassing thing that could happen to me in front of an audience (or generally in public) has already happened.
So... Why work with me instead of someone else?
You need a cheerleader and an accountability partner to help you get out of your comfort zone and into the biggest, boldest, most confident version of YOU that you can be.
My background working with adults and youth uniquely positions me for this!
You'll learn how to prepare and be ready for (and if necessary, survive) anything, because I've already experimented and tested my content and ideas over and over, each time learning more.
I've survived just about everything that can go wrong during a speaking engagement and you'll benefit from this experience!
I've provided training for companies as diverse as Microsoft, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Massachusetts Association of Realtors®, Louisiana Travel Association, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), USA Hockey, UC Santa Barbara, and AgWest Commodities. (I have a bit of a soft spot for nonprofit organizations, as this is my background!).
I'll help you break out of your shell and emerge as a fully expressed version of the real you—(which is already who you are all the time when you’re NOT in front of an audience).
My friends, colleagues and clients say I'm fun and funny. Sometimes I laugh at my own jokes and I've been known to be entertained by my own speaking videos, so I think they're telling the truth.
Follow my hashtags on LinkedIn: #ThisIsWhatProfessionalLooksLike and #SpeakingUpForChange
Why invest in coaching? Here are just some of the benefits of working with a coach.
Oh, and for interviews, articles and a high resolution photo, please visit my press page.
(For the boring credentials and what I've been doing for work for the past 20+ years, read on...)
Education
M.A. in Education, UC Santa Barbara
B.A. in Theater, Pomona College
Before starting her public speaking coaching business in 2005, Lisa Braithwaite, a Santa Barbara native, worked in the nonprofit sector in Santa Barbara for sixteen years, developing and implementing programs, curricula, and training materials for local organizations.
She's especially proud of her accomplishments with Body Electric, a nonprofit she co-founded in 1997 to promote participation, recognition and celebration of local women and girls in sports and physical activity.
She has spoken to thousands of people, both youth and adults, on topics ranging from domestic violence and healthy relationships, to gender equity and Title IX, to public speaking and presentation skills.
Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to create new and innovative programs in each organization she worked for. In 1995, she created the first full-time teen relationship violence program in Santa Barbara County, for Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County. In 1998, she developed a media literacy program for Girls Incorporated of Carpinteria, inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold. In 2000, she joined the fledgling Morgan Foundation and established their domestic and international grant programs to provide computer and Internet access to poor communities and developing countries.
As Training Coordinator for Tri-Counties Regional Center, she led the team of staff and consultants in creating a new employee orientation program and a comprehensive training and education program using employees as trainers.
In 2003, Lisa was honored for her work with Body Electric with the Louise Lowry Davis award, named for a local pioneer in women’s sports. The award is given annually by the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table to a person recognized as a player, coach or sponsor who excels in leadership and sportsmanship in the community.
Lisa is a graduate of Women's Economic Ventures' Self-Employment Training and continues to volunteer as a speaker in the program. In 2013, Lisa received WEV's Santa Barbara County Volunteer of the Year award.
She has been interviewed for the Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, Wall Street Journal, the Santa Barbara News Press, Men’s Health Magazine and on Inc.com.
Lisa resides in Ojai, California with her husband Rudy and rescue kitties Ernie (left) and Benjamin (right) who are celebrities on Facebook and Instagram.
Read articles, listen to interviews and download high resolution photos on my Press page
Grab your free program "Create Your Own Exercises: Transform Your Audience from Spectators to Participants" and maximize your engagement!
