Communications

Every great presenter is also a master storyteller. And contrary to what many people believe, storytelling isn’t a gift – but a skill that can be learned. This seminar will give you a deeper understanding of the elements of a story, insights into why it’s such a powerful strategic tool, and techniques for harnessing the power of story to meet your own personal and professional objectives.

Jane Praeger is a former documentary filmmaker and faculty member in Columbia University's M.S. program in Strategic Communications where she teaches presentation design and delivery, communications strategy, strategic storytelling and writing. Praeger is also the founder and president of Ovid, Inc., a communications firm that provides speech, presentation, and media training,, and customized workshops, for corporations such as Nickelodeon, Coach, MTV, Estee Lauder, McKinsey & Company, Euro RSCG Worldwide, as well as other technology, entertainment, and consulting firms.

Heather Thomas is a former business development and corporate marketing executive with over 15 years of experience at agencies including Agency.com, Modem Media, and Critical Mass. Thomas founded the business development practice at Critical Mass and subsequently spent the better part of a decade crafting hundreds of persuasive team presentations and pitches for a wide variety of companies including Procter & Gamble, NASA, Dell, Rolex and Hyatt Hotels, developing a strong understanding of how to construct effective presentations. Thomas is now an independent business development and presentation consultant, as well as a course assistant for the Strategic Storyteller course in Columbia's Communications Practice program. She is a cum laude graduate of Princeton University.

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