Meet Maia

Powerful presence has been my passion since I was 7 years old.

One day I walked into the living room where my parents were watching Lawrence Olivier playing Hamlet on our black and white TV. Although I had no idea what he was saying or what he was doing, I was so captured by his presence that my mouth dropped open. I was mesmerized—he simply “had me at hello.”

I knew at that moment that I wanted more of that—I wanted to be able to have that same effect on other people when I grew up.

I’ve come a long way from that mesmerized 7-year old. My journey to Powerful Presence has been rich and deep, challenging and rewarding—a direct result of my early choice of taking the “scenic route” and learning things “the hard way.” The gift I received from that choice was an instinct for creating strategies.

The art of creating strategies for success comes as naturally to me as breathing.

It’s taken me from 17-year-old runaway to sandblasting and painting submarines in the US Navy, from non-traditional jobs as a skilled laborer in the Navy as well as in the private sector, to certified addictions counselor and employee assistance professional to keynote speaker, master trainer, co-active coach and published author.

Along the way, there have been times when I have not used it—when I have denied it or forgotten it. Those were the times when I got my greatest education in Powerful Presence. I kept failing forward.

I’ve since discovered that my Powerful Presence has always been inside me, available for me when I needed it. As I’ve learned how to find it in myself, to own it and to draw from it, I’ve come to understand that it’s inside each one of us.

The greatest gift of my life has been to share my strategies with other people so they can find that Powerful Presence inside of themselves.

Since 1982, I’ve had a wide variety of opportunities to do that. As a:

• Master Trainer: I’ve been training adults since 1982 on strategies that will increase your skill in every facet of interpersonal communication and personal motivation, whether you’re speaking in front of any size or type of  audience or training adults; working with people who pose challenges for you or expanding your networking and sales skills; managing the stress of any difficult transition or mapping your journey to Powerful Presence. Along the way, I’ve created over 30 original training programs.
• Motivational Keynote Speaker: My specialty is demystifying Powerful Presence and showing you how to find it in yourself. Since 1987, I’ve spoken to audiences as large as 1800, across 40 states, Canada, Australia, the UK and the Dominican Republic. My audiences range from professional associations, universities, government and private industry, non-profits and professional women’s organizations. Along the way, I’ve created over 20 original keynotes and breakout sessions.
• Co-Active Coach: I’ve been informally coaching as part of my training programs since 1990. I graduated from the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) in March 2005 and completed the Leadership Program in June 2005. My coaching clients include business owners, business leaders, direct sales professionals, new and seasoned business speakers, veterans, government employees and managers, new and seasoned trainers and a variety of service professionals.
• Published Author: I’ve shared my strategies for powerful presence in my first three books, Bootstrap Words: Pull Yourself UP!, Pizza & The Art Of Life Management, and The Trainer’s Cookbook. Each one focuses on a practical and usable set of skills; you can use them in your personal or professional life, to increase your abilities as a speaker, or in the classroom as a trainer. My fourth book, You Only Have Power Over You: Things I Learned On The Journey To Powerful Presence, is due out in 2012. It puts everything I’ve learned about Powerful Presence into a downloadable e-book that takes you step by step through the process of discovering and developing your unique Powerful Presence.

The strategies I share with you for developing and using your unique powerful presence are the ones that I use in my own life.

When you work with me, you will have an experience that is vibrant and nurturing, empowering and direct—one that is completely focused on you stepping into your own powerful presence.

I look forward to working with you!

Contact Maia