Kate Bennis is a professional actor and clinical social worker who draws from the skills and techniques of the theater, therapeutic training, and years of experience, to give her clients everything they need to communicate as their fullest, most perfectly imperfect selves.

Kate’s Presentation and Communication practice is grounded in practicing the skills that give the speaker freedom, agility, creativity, humor, ease, presence, and the ability to connect with their audience.

This work helps clients to bring their most authentic selves to everything from wedding toasts to TED Talks, from political debates to flirting!

A professional actor with over 40 years’ experience in TV, film and stage, Kate has coached senior and mid-level leaders at American Express, AOL, Deloitte and Touche, Apex Clean Energy, the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve Bank and the CIA; Harvard Business School Executive Education, Columbia University Executive Education, Darden Business School Executive Education, UVa’s McIntire School of Commerce, and University College London. As the Lead Coach for the Charlottesville TEDx Kate has coached dozens of speakers and overseen the coaching for over 80 TED Talks. While with The Ariel Group Kate delivered trainings around the world, developed training curricula, and served as Director of Outreach.

A licensed clinical social worker, Kate has worked with children and adults in a private practice as well as schools and prisons.

She holds a BA in theater from Wesleyan University, an MSW from Smith College School for Social Work, and lives in Charlottesville with her husband and their two children.

A Quote From This Episode

• "There was something about just listening and being heard that was so transformative, and that's my first example of my dad as a leader. He was a listener. He listened deeply to every single person without defensiveness and without a preconceived idea. He just was a deep listener."

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Book - Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• Kate on Linkedin
• Kate on Youtube
  

About The International Leadership Association (ILA)

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• The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic.