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Speaking & Keynotes

Speaking & Keynotes

My sincere belief is that Thaler is one of today’s most gifted trainers–period. She is especially talented in helping us tell our story– or COMMUNICATE in a way that will best influence whatever audience we address. Since effective communication is critical for our work with clients and constituents, and is required of good managers, and since communication with your community as an advocate for your mission is critical, her presentation should check most of the boxes of what one should expect to learn at a conference; all from one person. –  Dennis McMillian, Former CEO, The Foraker Group

 

Inspirefest, Dublin, Ireland, July 2018

 

You can watch excerpts on the Thaler Speaking playlist of the Thaler Pekar & Partners YouTube channel.

You can listen to Thaler on BBC World Radio’s The Forum discussing the Pleasures and Perils of Storytelling.

You can watch and listen to Thaler deliver Listen Better, Hear More, Free 30-minute Webinar.

 

“Thaler Pekar is in a class of her own. Her keynote literally changed lives: this morning I was talking with our board chair about an upcoming conversation with a donor, and she said, ‘Remember to Thaler it.’ Thaler has become a verb!” — Liz Moore, Montana Nonprofit Association

Thaler Pekar reveals how to confidently navigate the paradoxes of communication: high touch and high tech, simplicity and complexity, speaking and listening. She provides your audiences with stories and tools to succeed in both hearing others and being heard themselves.

Customized keynotes, plenaries, and programs have included:

  • Your Solution Story Matters; Shifting from Problem to Possibility, Keynote, Montana Public Health Association Annual Conference

  • Narrative Enquiry, DHR Communications, Dublin, Ireland

  • Influence, Storytelling, & Storymapping, Collaborative Gain

  • The Limits of Empathy, Keynote, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University

  • How to be a Great Moderator
  • Who Cares About Your Foundation’s History?, with David Isay of StoryCorps
  • Heart, Head & Hand®: The Science of Persuasive Communication, Women Presidents’ Organization 16th Annual Conference, and Women Presidents’ Organization, Cape Town, South Africa

  • The Sweet Spot of Communication, interactive webinar series

  • The Basics of Organizational Storytelling, Smithsonian Institute
  • From the Basement to the Boardroom: What Makes Your Story Great and How Can You Make it Even Better?, South by Southwest Interactive (SXSW)
  • How to Find Stories that Interest the Media and Support Your Cause, Global Health & Innovation Conference
  • On Telling and Drawing: Communication Strategies and Visual Organization in Design, LIGHTFAIR INTERNATIONAL
  • Story as a Persuasive Sales Tool, Intrado Inc. National Sales Meeting
  • The Story of the Science of Story, teleconference
  • Grand Rounds, Residency Program in Social Pediatrics, Montefiore Medical Center

Interested in customizing a program for your organization or team? Please contact us.

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Upcoming Events & Appearances

May 14-16, 2021
Association of Junior Leagues International, keynote Participatory Narrative Inquiry program

August 20, 2020
Defense Information School, Advanced Story Work

June 30, 2020
Penn State, oral history interviewing and story elicitation

June 30, 2020
Knowledge Network Group, European Union

April 14, 2020
Columbia University School of Professional Studies

March 25, 2020
"Equitable Communication", private client program

March 17-19, 2020
WBENC Summit & Salute, Nashville

February 4-7, 2020
"Beyond Understanding: Listening for Emergence", Frank Conference, Gainesville, FL

December 5, 2019
Dual Office Philanthropic Client, DC & NYC

December 4, 2019
Social Sector client, Mississauga, Ontario

November 18-22, 2019
Funders' Collaborative Strategy & Narrative, Copenhagen

November 14, 2019
Corporate Retail Client, NYC

November 7, 2019
Nationswell Summit, NYC

October 13-18, 2019
"Build Trust & Inspire Action ~ A 3-Part Method for Motivating Others", Opportunity Collaboration, Cancun, Mexico

October 4 & 5, 2019
"Beyond Understanding: Listening for Emergence", Communications Network, Austin

October 3, 2019
"Breakthrough & Story Your Future!", pre-conference workshop, Montana Nonprofit Association

September 24, 2019
"Why Story Matters to Your Leadership", Guide Dogs for the Blind

September 23, 2019
The Ethics of Working with Story, Northern California Grantmakers

September 17-19, 2019
"Building Big Narratives by Sharing Small Stories", Waggl Harvest: Voices at Work Leader Retreat, St. Helena, CA

Early September, 2019Documentary filming, Utah

August 19, 2019
Private Client, Princeton, NJ

June 25-27, 2019
WBENC National Conference, Houston

May 7, 2019
CTAM Communications Strategies Course

April 11, 2019
Storytelling and Social Change, Institute for Research on Women, Rutgers the State University of NJ

April 9, 2019
Presence & Engagement program, Anomaly, NYC

March 20, 2019
Starion Bank, North Dakota

March 19, 2019
North Dakota Council on the Arts


Testimonials

Testimonials

  • "WOW is the first thing that comes to mind. WOW, what a session that was. It was thought-provoking, it was imminently applicable and it was fun, great job." – James Heffernan, The Jedi Group Consultoria, Brazil

  • "Thanks for helping me become a vivid story sharer. Before I worked with you, I'm afraid I was a rambling geek with a Powerpoint presentation. Now, each time I deliver a keynote, I generate two or three more engagements from audience members. Big, big change thanks to you." – Dave Maney, Founder & Publisher, Economaney

  • “When I was calling around to check Thaler's references, one of her clients told me that she was thinking about asking Thaler to be her child's Godmother. After working with Thaler I realized that the client wasn't joking. It is rare to find a consultant like Thaler, with the right mix of expertise, intuition, centeredness, ethics and passion. As a client, I found Thaler innovative and delivering above and beyond expectations. As a participant, I discovered my storysharing abilities exceeding what I thought was evolutionarily possible.” – Damon Azali-Rojas, Director of Field Programs, Jemmott Rollins Group

  • "As a result of the group training and individual coaching that we receive from Thaler and Jay, Wellspring staff are presenting their work in ways that show more confidence and organization, while letting the passion for our work shine through." – John and Myles Taylor, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund

  • "I've seen another well-known presenter on story, and he made me curious. But what I walked away from your program with was immediately implementable ways to capture and use story in my work, and to benefit my organization." – Dawn Harbatkin, MD, Executive Director, Lyon-Martin Health Services

  • "Thaler directed us in focusing on which specific stories to share with our corporate partners. As a result, there was a lot more confidence going into our next presentation. It was well received and effective. We will follow this process for future presentations.” — Brendan Ennis, Director of Development, Food Banks Canada

  • "Thanks a million for stretching my thoughts and how I approach today and tomorrow." – Gary Cassard, former Vice President & General Manager, Bright House Networks

  • "I'm a storyteller by trade, in a company that lives by story, with a truly amazing story to tell. So, in some ways, we're already there. That said, I was inspired by Thaler's deconstruction of narrative, and pointers for listening and engaging." – Steve Cooper, Director of Product Marketing, Lytro

  • "Jay is the coolest. I love the way he presents. Thaler is smart as a whip. I can't wait to hear what comes out of her mouth next. Together, they are able to break down the components of engagement in a way that we were previously unable to diagnose, let alone approach.” – Vice President, Global Education & Customer Experience, major cosmetics brand

  • "I found several things from your workshop directly applicable to my recent presentation to my board, and all grants were approved, so it was a big success. Our board chair even applauded after my presentation – a first! Thank you so much for your wisdom and guidance." – Denise Joines, Program Officer, Wilburforce Foundation

  • “We couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Thaler Pekar & Partners really 'get it' when it comes to helping move organizations forward in creative and positive directions. They possess a rare combination of flexibility and professionalism." -- John Seager, President, Population Connection

  • "Thaler is a communications genius with an insanely great ability to see 'through' a problem or challenge and create a story-based communications strategy to tackle the issue. She is fun to work with and obviously bright but not ego driven. It has been a privilege to work with her each time we have hired her. What I love most about her is that much of what she does is value-driven." – George Heindrichs, Former President and CEO, Intrado

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