Keynote Speakers

Suzanne Bates, CEO, CSP

Suzanne Bates is an executive coach, author, certified speaking professional (CSP), former award-winning television news anchor, and CEO of Bates Communications, Inc. Suzanne is an executive coach to top Fortune 500 executives and is the author of the best-selling Speak like a CEO: Secrets for Commanding Attention and Getting Results, Motivate Like a CEO: Communicate Your Strategic Vision and Inspire People to Act!, and Discover Your CEO Brand: Secrets to Embracing and Maximizing Your Unique Value as a Leader, all with McGraw Hill.

Ms. Bates founded Bates Communications Inc. after a successful on-air career with major market television stations WBZ-TV Boston, WCAU-TV Philadelphia and WFLA-TV Tampa-St. Petersburg. She was a recipient of the AP News Award, and interviewed thousands of political leaders, executives, experts, authors and celebrities over her career.

A graduate of the University of Illinois, Ms. Bates is past President of the National Speakers Association, a board member of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass, and a frequent media commentator. Suzanne is one of 600 speakers in the world to receive the CSP designation. The Certified Speaking Professional Designation is awarded to members of the National Speakers Association who have met the requirements of a rigorous five year evaluation, including professional education, paid speaking, testimonials from clients, and adherence to the ethical standards of the speaking profession.  

Meet Suzanne Bates

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David Casullo

David Casullo is President of Bates Communications and author of Leading the High Energy Culture(McGraw Hill 2012).

Prior to joining Bates Communications, David held the Senior Vice President of Human Resource role at the rapidly growing national retailer, Raymour & Flanigan. For ten years his leadership helped Raymour & Flanigan become a billion dollar retail giant, the largest furniture retailer in the Northeast and one of the fastest growing in the US, with nearly 4,300 associates company-wide.

David's passion is developing leaders who have the courage and capability to change the world. His experiences as a successful business leader and entrepreneur give him credibility with executives and emerging leaders in key roles throughout organizations.

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Craig Bentley

Craig Bentley is an executive coach and senior communications consultant. Prior to joining Bates Communications in 2007, Craig was a principal at a management consulting firm.

Craig is a sought-after business consultant, financial expert and speaker. His thirty years of experience in domestic and international financial markets, banking, business development, and strategic planning provide his clients with a diverse, strategic perspective to leadership communications.

Craig has been active in a number of professional organizations and has lectured at universities, seminars, and industry conferences domestically and abroad. He lived in Europe and Asia for over 10 years and has conducted business and traveled extensively in over 65 countries.

Craig holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from Dartmouth College, and attended the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago.

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Sarah Woods

Sarah Woods is an executive coach and senior communications consultant. Prior to joining Bates Communications in 2007, Sarah spent decades as a management consultant, advising both international corporations and early stage startup companies in the area of sales, marketing, communications and strategy.

Through her own consulting practice, Sarah worked with growth companies in multiple industries to develop their competitive advantage through sales, marketing and communications programs. Over the years, she’s coached dozens of executives on communicating key value messages, developing sound sales strategy, and the keys to successful negotiations.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Skidmore College in Saratoga, New York.

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Margery Myers

Margery Myers has spent more than 20 years helping CEOs and senior executives achieve results through communication that motivates teams to action, creates audience engagement and positions their companies as industry leaders.   She has advised CEOs and led the communication efforts for acquisitions and divestitures, crises and the rollout of critical strategic initiatives.

Prior to joining Bates Communications in 2010, Margery was the Senior Vice President, Communications for Dunkin’ Brands, the $6.6 billion quick service restaurant franchisor, with more than 13,800 franchised Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins restaurants in 44 countries. As such, she was responsible for public relations, executive and employee communications, franchisee communications and customer service.

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Elizabeth Freedman

Elizabeth Freedman is an executive coach and senior communications consultant who improves her clients' businesses by helping senior executives "Have Better Conversations" with their teams, clients, and other stakeholders.   Elizabeth enjoys working closely with her clients to help them lead, persuade, and strategically influence their stakeholders through conversation after conversation –transforming their own communication abilities along the way. She is the author of Work 101: Learning the Ropes without Hanging Yourself (Bantam Dell), which has also been published in India and has over 10,000 copies in print. 

Elizabeth is a dynamic, motivating speaker who has spoken in front of thousands of audience members, and she delivers dozens of keynote presentations annually.  Her high-energy programs have appealed to corporate, nonprofit, and association audiences, and she was a 2005 finalist for College Speaker of the Year, awarded by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities. 

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