Keynotes and Workshops

“Not sure how we will top this keynote next year.”

- Alicia Betancourt, University of Florida

Keynote Topic #1

How to Develop and Deliver the Most Persuasive Messaging to Policymakers 

* This keynote is available with tailored workshop opportunities. 

Shaped by lessons and experience gained during 20 years of work on Capitol Hill, including service as Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, this keynote teaches behind-the-scenes strategies and messaging principles for getting your voice heard and your priorities advanced by policymakers. 

 

5 Things You’ll Learn:  

 

  • The thematic approach that should guide messaging to lawmakers. 

  • Specific tools essential for creating potent messaging that resonates with policymakers.

  • The role of primacy and recency in communicating, particularly in highly-active, deadline-driven settings such as the U.S. Congress.

  • Why the choice of messenger is an often overlooked, yet crucial, aspect of messaging and how to choose one who makes the biggest impact.

  • How to sequence and calibrate interactions with policymakers and staff members to support and nurture productive relationships. 

Keynote Topic #2


Connect Before You Communicate: Keys to Mastering Difficult Conversations

* This keynote is available with tailored workshop opportunities. 

Delivering bad news is challenging and often triggers backlash. 

The human tendency to "shoot the messenger” was highlighted 1,500 years ago in the Sophocles play Antigone ("For no one delights in the bearer of bad news”), and still persists today.

Despite such an ingrained human reflex, scientists, engineers, managers, and anyone responsible for conveying unwelcome information can learn to more productively communicate during difficult conversations. 

 

5 Things You’ll Learn:   

 

  • What it means to "connect before your communicate" and why it's so important in high-stakes conversations.

  • How to uncover connection points with your listener(s) and strategically incorporate them in your message.

  • How to use "gilt by association" to establish rapport when speaking to a new person or group.

  • The centrality of empathy and authenticity in creating connection.

  • Why knowing the "native language" of your listener(s) quickly creates feelings of connectedness, laying the foundation for fruitful communication.

Keynote Topic #3

Data, Decision-Making, and Delivering Value

Accurate analytics are absolutely necessary. But they’re not sufficient. Humans process and remember information as stories, not statistics. In this interactive keynote, you’ll see why it’s critical to authentically weave data and facts into narratives.

 

5 Things You’ll Learn

 

  • The difference between merely reporting outputs to senior decision-makers and incorporating data into recommendations that address specific desired business outcomes, prompting attitude and behavior change in positive directions.

  • How to craft “mini-stories” that move listeners.

  • The “Forgetting Curve” and how to build a memorable, engaging presentation despite forgetting being one of our brain’s design features.

  • Why effective presenters take a cue from hit songwriters and how they do it.

  • “Sift and Miffed” - what it is, why you should avoid it, and what to do instead.

Keynote Testimonials

 

"You were such a great keynote;
so approachable, friendly,
and adaptable."

Nic Quilty
Chief Executive, WasteMINZ (New Zealand 1,500-member trade association)

“You were on point and very well received. Thank you so much, we really got a lot out of the presentation.”

Alicia Betancourt
University of Florida, IFAS, Director Monroe County

"Mark is unique - he's able to weave his top-level policy experience and academic training in rhetoric and persuasion into an educational, entertaining talk."  

Chris Schaffer, Ph.D.
Professor, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University

"Thank you for delivering such a powerful talk yesterday...your keynote and day was a huge success."

Sibby Anderson-Thompkins, Ph.D.
Inaugural Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer (August 2021) at Sewanee: The University of the South

 

Workshop Testimonials

 

“I loved it.”

Eric, Chemical Engineer (ret.)

“I took a lot away from it.”

Kathleen, Public Affairs Counselor, Policy

 

“Mark will definitely go out of his way to help you reach your goals.”

Anish, Ph.D Student., Electrical and Computer Engineering

  “...Extremely valuable and exceedingly rare.”

 

Yangyang, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow