Cultivating People Connections

Cathy Harris' keynote speaking, consulting and training work is recognized for producing impressive results by helping executives, managers, supervisors and staff to identify and implement the best changes for their growth.

Clients produce exceptional results with Cathy's highly interactive, dynamic and humorous presentations. They also appreciate her ability to design support systems that afford them continuing results long after she has completed her programs. Her clients include Chevron Chemical Company, The U. S. Department of Agriculture, Louisiana State University, The U. S. Department of Energy, Ochsner Health Plan, The Windsor Court Hotel and others.

In the areas of workplace diversity, teambuilding, conflict resolution and communication, Cathy has captivated and educated audiences across the country. Participants love her authenticity, humor and down-to-earth style. This combined with experiential and highly interactive activities and exercises allow her to successfully present tough topics (diversity, conflict resolution, communicating across cultural lines). Her stories of overcoming obstacles instantly connect her to the challenges faced by members of the audience.

Harris has eighteen years experience as a small business owner. In addition to helping people learn how to communicate with each other, Harris is highly regarded for her expertise in mass communication following her seventeen years experience as a media consultant designing advertising and public relations campaigns.

A critical aspect of communicating - especially in dealing with tough issues is learning to negotiate. Harris has tackled critical communication challenges across her fifteen years experience as a small business owner. Using her expertise in negotiations, Cathy co-owned and managed an automotive business for which she negotiated a loan of nearly ninety thousand dollars using junk cars as collateral.

She is co-founder and past president of Each One Save One, a mentoring organization that recruits hundreds of mentors and volunteers for schools in the New Orleans Metropolitan area. Cathy serves on the Boards of Directors of WYES-TV and the Advocates for Science and Math High School. She was involved in the design and development of the Just for Boys program at Vorice Jackson Waters Elementary School.

Harris is past president of the National Speakers Association/New Orleans Chapter and an active member of the American Society for Training and Development.

"The impact of the workshops has also paid off in the long term. There are fewer situations which escalate to a formal grievance. We believe that this is due, in large part, to the communication skills that you and your associates teach." Judy Welcker Training Officer, USDA/National Finance Center