W H A T P E O P L E
A R E S A Y I N G
Vice President
Preparing for a panel
"Thank you again for all of your help the other day and I SO enjoyed working with you!!!
I took all of your amazing advice and felt 100x more comfortable before and during the speaking panel. I think I did a good job and got a lot of good feedback afterwards.
Yahoo!
Even the story that came out today was nice and had a quote in there from me.
THANK YOU again and I really appreciate all of your great wisdom that you shared. I would love to work with you again and will recommend you to others."
Lauren Jezienicki, Vice President
Culinary Expert
Preparing for appearances on TV show
"I'm so much better at this than I was last year and I have you to thank for it. Soo, thank you so much for all your guidance, encouragement, and straight-talk. You've really helped me tremendously."
Vice President of Business Development
Preparing for a Pitch to Investors
"Most importantly we saw results! Amanda is amazing. She helped shape our presentation's story line; improve wording and flow. Having fun, being yourself, being confident while delivering a speech requires public speaking skills. Amanda is fantastic at teaching those skills!
Highly recommend Amanda!"
Jennifer Bergantino
VP Business Development
ConConn, Inc.
Executive Director
Preparing for presentations
"Communicating is the most important thing I do, but my presentations weren't good enough. Amanda Hennessey helped me be more persuasive and engaging.
She even helped me be funnier!
Being a better speaker has made me a better leader. And that's no laughing matter."
Avi Green
Executive Director
Scholars Strategy Network
Best Dog Trainer in NYC
Preparing for pitches and writing a book
"Amanda has helped me in a variety of ways over the past years. I was considering writing a book about dog training and she helped me brainstorm and shape my ideas. When I did receive a book deal, she continued to support my process. I have pitched my ideas to TV producers and Amanda helped me to prepare for these intense meetings so that what I conveyed was clear, succinct and I was able to authentically share who I am.
Once my book came out, I needed to take part in a video "trailer". Amanda helped me to shape the tone, the flow of ideas and how best to articulate them. We also discussed my outfit and how I could manage any nervous energy that comes up.
She has been an invaluable source of help and support to me."
Kate Perry, CEO and Founder
Best Dog Trainer in NYC - New York Magazine
author of Training for Both Ends of the Leash
First-time Candidate
Running for office
"I hired Amanda to help me prepare for running for local office. She took the time to learn about my candidacy and what type of forums and public speaking events would be taking place and customized our sessions around those. I never would have been able to run a successful campaign without the courage and guidance from Amanda!"
Best,
Kristie L. Ferrantella
Select Board
Nantucket, MA
Young Professional
Preparing for law school
"I was really nervous about law school and did not have much luck with other public speaking coaches. I was about to give up and wing it in law school when I found Amanda.
Sessions with Amanda were completely different from anything I had tried.
Each lesson was jam-packed with tips that I would have never thought of, fun exercises, and tons of practice – the time flew by and I left each lesson armored with so many more strategies than when I went in.
Amanda’s tips range from little adjustments you can make in your body to feel confident, to an entirely different way of thinking about public speaking so that it’s no longer so intimidating. Her strategies are great because they’re so easy to incorporate into your everyday life that you never feel overwhelmed, yet they make a huge impact.
I am now using these tips in school and they have helped me be calmer and in control in nerve-racking situations. I would highly recommend Amanda whether you’re looking for 1 session or 10; she is highly knowledgeable, engaging, and empowering.”
A.B.
Now attending Cornell Law School
Writer
Preparing for public readings
"When I found out my first novel was going to be published, I was naturally excited. But I also knew that when publication arrived, I would be asked to give readings and speak publicly, something I absolutely dreaded doing, and something I'd avoided doing for a long time. So I went to Amanda, telling her that my goal was to simply survive the experience--to give my talks and read out loud without running from the podium.
Now that I'm confidently through the first few of my readings, I can say that Amanda did so much more than offer me survival tips. Together, we worked on polishing my presentation skills and building my confidence. People came up to me after my first readings to tell me that I seemed like an old pro. This was all due to Amanda."
Peter Swanson
author of The Girl With a Clock for a Heart
Professor
Preparing for a Presentation
"Thank you SO much for your expertise and time yesterday! I am still reeling from how much I learned! Wow, acting requires a level of psychological insight that I had never realized.
You are one of the best listeners with immediate insight, that I have ever met.
I also really enjoyed your receptivity to my stories and I truly enjoyed talking to you. I also was impressed by your commitment to really helping me and making sure I felt good with the scale of learning and feedback you gave to me."
Professor, Public Health, Boston
Head of Customer Development
Presenting at SXSW
"I am extremely fortunate to have had the pleasure of being introduced to Amanda Hennessey before an important presentation at the prestigious SXSW in Austin, TX. The presentation was for an accelerator competition in the Interactive Wearables Division of SXSW. I knew the audience would be filled with potential investors so I struggled with the most effective style of presentation for our product pitch.
Amanda was AMAZING! She not only gave me helpful tips on how to remember my lines, engage the audience and effectively sell the product, but she more importantly improved my confidence that I was lacking before she and I met.
Amanda is truly committed to bringing out the best in her students. She has a unique skill that allows her to precisely identify your strengths then enhance them. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Amanda on improving my presentation skills. She was able to quickly improve my pitch. As a result, we were chosen as SXSW Top 3 Technologies and featured on the NBC Today show.
Thanks Amanda! Our team’s success is a direct reflection of your commitment."
Janalyn Peppel
Head of Customer Development
Embr Labs
Cambridge MA
Scientist
Preparing for a job talk
"Amanda took the time to really understand my concerns before coaching me for a very important interview. She helped me both project confidence and ease and also genuinely feel them.
My presentations have seen a vast improvement, and I find that I’m much more active now in small group meetings. Amanda’s utmost professionalism and sharp insights have been instrumental in getting me to accomplish my goals.
Thank you, Amanda!"
Biologist
Preparing Demo Video
"I came to Amanda in a panic because I'm a biologist, not an actor, but I was filming a demo video for a prospective wildlife tv show. She helped me to focus on my strengths, shot a practice video in her studio, and gave me valuable feedback, tips for on-camera performance, and most of all, self confidence. The results were fantastic! What an improvement over my initial attempts."
Don Lyman, Professor
Scientist
Preparing dissertation
"Thanks for everything! The talk was excellent, completely surpassed my own expectations and I was very happy with my voice.
Everyone said it was one of the best defenses they'd seen, and I'm just happy they could focus on the data and not me! You're the best."
Marnie
MIT Ph.D. candidate
Pre-Med Student
Applying to medical school
"Amanda was invaluable during my interview process for medical school. She gave me feedback and guidance on every aspect of the interview process, from delivering my answers articulately to presenting a demeanor that conveys self-assurance. She helped me move beyond my initial anxieties about interviewing at top medical schools.
Because of my sessions with her, I felt completely calm and confident during every one of my interviews. I highly recommend Amanda to anyone who is applying to medical school or another graduate school – without her I would not be where I am today!"
A. Thomas
Brown University graduate
will attend Yale Medical School
“The moment my nephew and his fiancée asked me to marry them, I was beyond touched. I was honored and humbled. However, soon thereafter the realty set in that I needed to draft the ceremony, capture the spirit of the moment, create a memorable delivery while providing them with a message that would last through eternity…no wonder I was nervous!
As if this was not enough, my own daughter was getting married just two months later and I was looking down the barrel of the father of the bride toast. Luckily I’m organized and methodical… I knew I needed help. I found Amanda Hennessey and Boston Public Speaking.
Amanda served as speech coach, writing mentor and presentation adviser. Her background in each of the areas helped me write a draft in my own words. I was able to create a ceremony that spoke to my nephew and his fiancée's lives - where they had come from, what this marriage meant to them and the future that lay ahead. Amanda was patient and kind, provided structured feedback and ultimately helped me craft an amazing and memorable ceremony.
I highly recommend working with Amanda and Boston Public Speaking. The process was fun, meaningful and I accomplished my desired outcome.
Thank you Amanda.”
John Alekna
Wedding Officiant
Creating a Ceremony
Maid of Honor Preparing a Toast
"Thanks Amanda! You have no idea how relieved I am and happy that it went so well. Thank you for helping me think about it differently. I really changed my mindset after our first meeting together.
I was in tears several times over how stressed I was about public speaking. I never thought I would be able to conquer this fear! I don't know that I have conquered it yet, but it gave me so much confidence that the speech went as well as it did.
My mom said it was better than all my practice runs! What a cool job to be able to help people in this way. Thank you! "
Best Man
Preparing a Toast
"Amanda - I want to thank you again for your amazing coaching.
When I first came to you I hoped for you to make me an amazing, fearless public speaker both for an upcoming best man speech, and my pitch as a startup leader.
What I got was so much more. Resilience and confidence as an individual, which has allowed me to view public speaking as a positive gift to others. While am still not fearless, and am far from being the most eloquent orator in town, I now put myself out there as much as possible and am able to productively plan for big talks and harness my anxiety in a much more productive way.
We did all the work I expected together before my best man speech, and then some. We talked about my confidence and communication style, drafted, re-drafted, practiced over and over again, talked about delivery style, practiced more.
But it wasn't until 5 minutes before my speech, when my notes literally blew out of my hands in the wind to be lost forever, that I realized the true value in the work we'd done together. After a brief panic attack, I was able to center myself, realize that I knew exactly what I wanted to say, and connect with the audience in a way that felt authentic to me and everyone in the crowd.
This is after only 3 sessions... I can't wait to see where we go from here!"
"I sought Amanda’s help when I was applying for academic positions and needed help in presenting my ‘job talk’ paper. I wanted to improve the way I presented the paper so that it would appeal to a wider audience and keep them engaged for an extended period. Amanda’s help was invaluable.
She has an instinctive ability to grasp what works and what doesn't in a presentation. She helped me to think about how to express myself and how to feel comfortable and natural in doing so. Amanda was totally invested in helping and passionate about doing so, and she always went the extra mile to help. I trust her judgment.
I would recommend her without reservation to anyone who may need an expert’s eye to help them learn better how to express themselves."
A.T.
Harvard Law School student
John M. Olin Fellow in Law
and Economics Fellow,
Harvard Law School Program on
Corporate Governance
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law
University of Sydney
"Amanda helped me to turnaround my "job talk" presentation when I applied for academic positions. Her contribution was beyond any expectation - while I expected her to improve my delivery techniques alone, she managed not only to have me grip my audience, but she also helped me to improve the actual structure of my talk, making it crisp, exciting and enthralling.
Moreover, Amanda is very personable and really cares about her work.
I'll definitely recommend her to anyone who wants to excel in public speaking!"
N. Shilon
Harvard Law School student
John M. Olin Fellow in Law and Economics Fellow
Harvard Law School Program
on Corporate Governance
Law Students
Presenting Job Talk papers
Sister
Preparing a Eulogy
"Amanda took me from puddle of nerves to confident speaker. Her professionalism and sense of humor provide a safe learning environment with non-judgmental corrections. She knows just what tips to give to improve rate of speech, when to pause for effect, facial expressions as well as hand and body gestures.
An added bonus is that Amanda will edit your presentation, if you would like, to improve its meaning for your audience.
Without a doubt my time with Amanda was the best money I've spent for my own self enrichment."
J. Barnard
"It went really well! I even got some laughs in the crowd. One more presentation to go for the semester! Thank you for all your help! I don't know what I would've done without you."
Nursing Student
Preparing a Presentation
