Sandra Ashe

While Sandra has been with Speakeasy for almost 20 years, the special qualities she brings to our clients were already evident at the beginning of her career. After completing her graduate program at Columbia, she worked as an educator with students in Harlem. She thrived on challenge. She still does.

Sandra really thrives on the challenge of helping Speakeasy clients meet their communication goals. She listens carefully to what you want to accomplish, and she remembers. So just when your energy flags, or your commitment waivers, she steps right in -- reminding you, encouraging you, or suggesting an alternate route. That's the kind of support you'll get from Sandra. Her Speakeasy colleagues also experience it. As one observes, "She's consistent and determined. She shoots straight, working hard to be sure I accomplish what I've told her I want to do. She stays with me until I get where I need to go."

Sandra delivers all of Speakeasy's programs and has been conducting seminars and making presentations for the company for more than 17 years. Before joining Speakeasy, Sandra served as Executive Regional Director for international youth organization and a Project Director for the Centers for Disease Control. She received her Masters of Education in Supervision and Administration from Columbia University.

Alison Behrman

Alison brings passion and energy to everything she does, whether firing ground strokes on the tennis court, cross-country skiing in the Tetons, keeping up with her crazy terrier, or helping you realize your true power as a communicator. She started her career on Wall Street, but found soon enough that people and communication were her true passions. She has many years' experience working with "broken" voices, in academic settings, hospitals and private practice, and numerous New York City personalities, from Broadway actors to politicians, have sought her guidance.

Alison's early experience in an aggressive business environment helps her to understand her clients' professional communication needs. Work with her and you'll quickly find that she pushes you to be the best that you can be. The warmth and empathy that come from years of clinical experience combine with her clearly evident passion for coaching... and the result is that you want to work as hard as you possibly can. Your journey with Alison will definitely be an enjoyable and rewarding one.

Alison is a life long New Yorker and delivers our Style Impact Program "Talk So People Listen" out of our Manhattan office. She holds a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from New York University, and a Ph.D. in Speech Physiology from Columbia University. She has certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is the author of a best-selling textbook on speech science and speech-language pathology, and is co-author of a book for clinicians on voice therapy exercises.

Judith Bliss

When Judith comes into the classroom or a private coaching session, she brings with her 25 years' experience working with Speakeasy clients, as well as experience as a business entrepreneur. But what you'll notice first is her air of quiet confidence, which makes Judith especially effective working with senior executives and with clients facing high-pressure presentation situations. A colleague describes Judith's skill this way: "She reaches into the deep well of her experience and pulls up just the 'needed' coaching at the time it works best for the client."

Probably because she's an avid gardener, Judith trusts the learning process. She knows that if the environment is right, growth happens naturally. In her presence taking that next step doesn't feel quite so risky. You begin to share her trust in the process - and in yourself.

Judith delivers all of our programs and has been an instructor with Speakeasy for over 24 years. She received her B.A. from Ohio State University. Prior to joining Speakeasy Judith served on the faculty at GE's Crotonville Executive Training Center for eight years.

Doris Bucher

Nearly 30 years experience with Speakeasy clients. A widely respected voice coach, who has worked with a boxing champion and a top CNN foreign correspondent. Holder of two masters degrees. That's Doris. If you just looked at her experience and expertise, you might be a little intimidated. This is a real pro. But once in her presence, any intimidation you might have felt melts away. Learning becomes fun. At her direction you're not even afraid to do things that seem a little silly at first.

Perhaps the most important element in Doris' biography is her love of the theater. As an accomplished actress and director, she has a great love and respect for "play," and she understands how some very serious purposes can be accomplished through it. In Doris' skillful hands, you recover some of that love of learning you had long ago. You stretch a little further. You try a little harder. You have fun. And you succeed.

She holds a Masters in Speech Pathology from Emory University and a Masters degree in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University in New Orleans. Doris delivers all of SpeakeasyŒs Style-Impact Programs and private coaching. She has been an instructor with Speakeasy for 28 years, and she is a clinically certified member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, a member of the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association, and of Zeta Phi Eta, a national honorary society for outstanding women in speech.

Jane Jones

Shakespeare wrote that "the worst returns to laughter," and he must have been thinking of Jane in a Speakeasy program. Just when you think you've reached your limit or hit a wall, Jane's laughter and good humor lift you over. Suddenly new possibilities open in front of you.

Because she wears her experience and skill so lightly, it's easy to forget that Jane is a true professional, with almost 25 years' experience at Speakeasy, and Masters degrees in both speech pathology and speech communication. But all these skills are at work -- and at play -- in her group programs and her private coaching. One of her colleagues observes that "Jane was born with an instinct for self-expression, and she is never happier than when she is helping others express more of themselves."

Jane delivers "Talk So People Listen", all of SpeakeasyŒs custom Style-Impact Programs and private coaching. She has been an instructor with Speakeasy for 24 years. She is a licensed speech pathologist and is certified by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association. She holds Masters degrees in both Speech Communication and Speech Pathology.

Doug Foltz

Doug's title is Speakeasy's Vice President of Visual Communication and Design Strategy. That means he insures that our communication and physical environment accurately reflect our corporate image and values. He also provides instruction, private coaching, and design and consulting services to Speakeasy's clients on presentation content and visual support issues, and heads all design efforts delivered through our Visual Communication Group. He brings to this multi-faceted role a background in graphic, advertising, architectural and interior design, and the processes he uses in working with Speakeasy's clients are derived from over twenty years of experience in developing communication through all of these mediums.

To his colleagues Doug has another title: adventurer - curious about cultures and creatures, especially marine creatures. (Check out the skull of the 350-pound Loggerhead turtle in his office.) This curiosity feeds his creativity. You can depend on Doug for that unique solution, that combination of colors, textures, shapes and images that will make your concept "real."

Leah Lorendo

What might be seen as a contradiction in someone else actually makes Leah a very effective coach. In fact, it is her combination of logic and sensitivity that make her such a terrific resource for her clients. On the one hand, she's direct, logical and organized. Her education has kept her current on the impact organizational change and leadership challenges can have communication. She knows what's required in the business world and her experience in health care administration shows this practical side of Leah. Roll up your sleeves, get to work and positive results will follow. With Leah you have no doubt about the specific steps to take to reach your communication goals.

However, as a speech pathologist, with many years of clinical work before joining the Speakeasy team, she developed tremendous sensitivity and flexibility in working with each individual to achieve progress. As she herself puts it, "I work collaborative with each person, not 'instructing' them about what I want them to know or do." Because she sees and hears where you are, the steps Leah lays out are ones you can really believe in. And that makes all the difference in your progress.

She holds a Ph.D. in Health Care Administration, a MasterŒs degree in Organizational Development and Leadership, is a licensed Speech Pathologist, and is certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Before joining Speakeasy nine years ago, Leah worked in clinical speech pathology in a variety of settings. Her experience in healthcare management with corporate officers gives her a unique perspective on business communication.

Bill Mackinnon

Bill would make an ideal dinner companion. He's a lively and knowledgeable conversationalist. He's interested in a wide variety of subjects. Most of all, he's interested in you. Perhaps these are skills he learned through his education in counseling and psychological services, or through his extensive work conducting instructional seminars in business, university and agency settings. Or maybe they come naturally and he's devoted his career to enhancing them.

Speakeasy believes in connection in communication, and Bill is a great example of connection in action. You'll quickly feel that he's tuned in to you, to your needs and your goals. And this connection energizes you toward positive change. He brings another skill that helps you move forward. A colleague describes it as an ability "to express his thoughts in verbal images that you can quickly relate to." With Bill's help, you see your goal more clearly -- and move toward it more quickly.

Bill delivers all of our programs and has been with Speakeasy for over 11 years. He holds Masters and Ed.S. degrees in Counseling and Psychological Services and is a member of the American Society for Training and Development and the American Counseling Association.

Joanne Meyer

Joanne is that very fit woman playing tennis, skiing, and hiking who always has stories cooking in her head... she writes fiction for fun. You might also catch her taking her Tibetan terrier for a walk. Although she took time off from Speakeasy to finish a Ph.D. and to establish a practice in psychology, she has been an instructor with us for a total of almost 20 years.

You can expect to learn a lot with Joanne as instructor. Her style is never pushy; sheŒs gentle, supportive - and tremendously effective. She has extensive experience with the workings of non-profit organizations, but much of her business savvy comes from having created and sold her own practice in speech pathology.

Joanne delivers almost all of Speakeasy's programs. She's an ASHA certified speech pathologist, and is licensed both as a speech pathologist and as a clinical psychologist. SheŒs a member of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association and of the California Speech and Hearing Association. She earned a BA from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in speech pathology and audiology, a Masters degree in speech pathology from the University of Denver, and both a Masters in psychology and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from San Francisco's School of Professional Psychology.

Alice Rutkowski

Alice loves people! When she was born face first, the doctor said, "She wants to be here!" That open disposition and down-to-earth kindness have been a part of Alice all her life. She truly loves to help people through processes that connect them their uniqueness and inner strength. That's a big part of why people seem to trust her immediately.

Alice also has a unique way of helping people find their voice. She works with their nature... no adding on. Rather, she believes in harnessing what is already there and bringing the best out of it. And she does. For 30 years she's been finding new ways to guide people to their greatest expression - developing innovative methods to grow both verbal and nonverbal communication through her coaching in such varied sectors as business, health care, government, the arts, youth leaders, higher education and commerce.

Alice delivers all of Speakeasy's Style-Impact Programs and private coaching, and has been working with Speakeasy for 6 years. She received her M.S. in Integrative Education from Marywood University and her PhD in Movement Education from International College She has been an international coach and consultant in the use of communication, integrating the mind and body, for over thirty years - lecturing and presenting at conferences throughout the world including to the New Zealand medical community and at New York's United Nations.

Danny Slomoff

Leadership development. Body therapy. African dance. Theater. Singing. These are just some of Danny's interests and activities. He also has an education in clinical and sports psychology and has worked with business leaders and athletes on peak performance. You probably wouldn't be surprised to learn that he's based in Speakeasy's San Francisco office.

For 23 years Danny has been bringing his ever-expanding interests into his classroom and private coaching sessions at Speakeasy. They turn up in various ways: in his creation of a new exercise to address a communication issue more effectively; in his selection of just the right analogy to make a communication idea more vivid and memorable; in his willingness to explore a variety of approaches to solve a communication problem. All Danny's energy, experience and creativity are at the service of bringing more of you to your communication situations. As a colleague put it, "Danny brings you to life by bringing more of life to you."

Danny delivers almost all of our programs and has been with Speakeasy for more than 23 years. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical and Sports Psychology.

Victoria Squier

Victoria's fascination with what makes good speakers "tick" has driven her long career in helping others develop their speaking skills and voice. Underneath Victoria's upbeat demeanor is a passion for personal growth. This passion and her boundless patience provide her clients nurturing support for their own growth journey.

Before joining Speakeasy, she had a 30-year speech pathology practice focused on voice. She also taught at Ohio State University, University of California, Davis as well as various medical facilities and public schools.

Victoria resides in Pleasanton, California with her husband, an otolaryngologist, and their two children. Yoga, meditating and hiking with her dogs help maintain her balance and mindfulness.

Victoria teaches Talk So People Listen, and all of our customized Style-Impact programs. She is a licensed Speech Pathologist, certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. Victoria holds a bachelor's and masters' in Communicative Disorders, both from the University of the Pacific.

Pat Wahoske

Pat knows your voice. As a Speakeasy instructor, Pat brings 30 years of clinical experience evaluating and treating adults with communication disorders. Her clinical practice specialized in voice. She brings a sensitivity to Speakeasy that she developed as a clinician. It gives her insight into how a person can best change a behavior. And it highlights her commitment to creating a safe and comfortable environment for personal growth and experimentation.

Pat also held management roles for the past 25 years, making her intimately familiar with the demands executives face. Prior to joining Speakeasy, she served as Manager of Clinical Development and Process Improvement for the Rehabilitation Services Division at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. Her coaching is all about understanding the uniqueness of each individual client. Pat says, "every person has potential inside of them they have not yet tapped." Pat brings a gift for drawing out a person's distinct communication strengths to help them build their own individual style.

Pat teaches all of our Style Impact programs and delivers private coaching to Speakeasy's clients. She has B.S. and Master's degrees in Speech-Language Pathology, both from the University of Minnesota and is a former president of the Minnesota Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is a licensed speech-language pathologist and Board Recognized Specialist in Swallowing, is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and is a member of the Voice Special Interest Division, the American Society of Training and Development and the National Association of Female Executives. Pat has been with Speakeasy since 2005.