NSA Ohio's Communication Mastery Conference 2025

Sponsored by Ohio University Scripps College of Communication

Led by NSA Ohio’s elite speakers, you'll gain practical tools, expert insights, and real-world strategies that will transform your communication skills overnight.

Unlock Your Communication Potential: Explore Our Dynamic Agenda

Get ready for an immersive day designed to elevate your communication mastery! Our agenda is thoughtfully curated with inspiring General Sessions, focused Concurrent Sessions, and hands-on Skills Labs, ensuring a rich and rewarding experience for every communication professional.

Ignite Your Day with Powerful General Sessions:

The Change Communicators Edge: An Intentional Approach to Everyday Conversations - Jim Canterucci

Organizations with strong change leadership and communication capability are 3.5 times more likely to outperform their peers—but what if we applied those same techniques to our daily corporate communications?

This interactive opening session will challenge you to rethink everyday workplace communication as a driver of alignment, engagement, and productivity. You’ll start by identifying key communication scenarios in your work, exploring what you aim to accomplish, and uncovering gaps that hinder effectiveness.

Then, we’ll introduce proven change communication techniques that can transform routine conversations into opportunities for influence and clarity:

✅ The Foundation for Change – A structured framework ensuring every message is purposeful, strategic, and results-driven.

✅ Sergeants Carry the Message – How supervisors and key influencers shape communication success.

✅ Change Breakthrough Analysis – A method for gathering actionable feedback to continuously refine your messaging.

Often, it’s what goes unsaid that causes the biggest problems. We’ll discuss how to say less, but say it better, using change communication principles to build trust, reduce resistance, and drive meaningful action—not just in major initiatives, but in every conversation.

Join us as we unlock the power of structured communication in everyday business interactions. When you communicate with intentionality and strategy, you don’t just share information—you drive results.

Communicating Your Value:  Strategies to Articulate Your Unique Value, Increase Visibility, and Expand Your Professional Network - Hope Yin and Patrick Donadio

In today’s fast-paced business world, effective communication is essential for building a strong, authentic brand. This interactive session brings together two unique perspectives on mastering communication to strategically communicate your value, increase visibility, and expand your professional network.

Key Takeaways:

• Define Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP): Build the foundation for your brand communication strategy by identifying your target audience, understanding their challenges, and clearly articulating how your expertise provides solutions.
• Communicate with Confidence, Authenticity, and Vulnerability: Learn how to balance confidence and competence with real-life examples and practical strategies. Discover how embracing authenticity and vulnerability fosters trust, enhances engagement, and aligns with your personal brand.
• Expand Your Brand Visibility and Network: Leverage LinkedIn, social media, and impactful face-to-face interactions to overcome belief barriers to brand visibility, strengthen your professional presence, and grow your network.

Join us to explore two expert perspectives on strategic brand communication. Walk away with actionable tools to break through belief barriers, craft/deliver your message with clarity, build meaningful connections, and enhance your brand's visibility and impact!

Curiosity Quest

Molly is a classically trained pianist and uses music to help communicate her message of curiosity to create connections. In this interactive keynote, Molly takes the audience on a journey through a conversation. From preparing for the meeting to the last words spoken, participants learn and practice strategies for identifying with others, demonstrating approachability, and establishing trust and influence.

​After this, the audience will leave with:

• The Warm-Up: Strategies to engage the mindset that prepares for an interaction - no matter if you have one second or one hour to warm up!
• The Song: The right questions to ask to engage your conversation partner and create a connection.
• The Finale: Tips for ending the interaction to leave a positive lasting impression. 

From Nervous To Notable: How To Communicate With Confidence and Impact - Michael Pope

In today’s fast-paced professional world, leaders who communicate with confidence, clarity, and authenticity stand out. Whether you're leading a meeting, pitching an idea, or motivating your team, your presence shapes how others perceive you — and how they respond.

In this engaging session, Michael J. Pope Jr., a certified speaker, trainer, and Executive Director with Maxwell Leadership, shares practical strategies to help leaders elevate their executive presence and communicate with impact.

Attendees will discover:

✅ The Confidence Code: Simple techniques to project self-assurance — even when nerves hit.

✅ Communication Mastery: How to use vocal variety, pacing, and pauses to engage listeners.

✅ The Power of Connection: A proven storytelling framework that builds rapport and inspires action.

Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, participants will leave equipped with practical tools they can apply immediately to enhance their presence and influence.

 If you want your leaders to show up with greater confidence, speak with authority, and leave a lasting impression — this session is a must-attend.

The Business of Communicating: Connecting the Dots - Phil Barth

There’s something inside of us that stands between all of us and success. It is a flock of chickens. Chickens like fear, negativity and self-doubt.

Phil will focus on frying these chickens as he recaps the day’s program with a hefty dose of laughter.

Dive Deeper in Focused Concurrent Sessions (choose one per session time)

Segment 1

Your Image Speaks Before You Do: The Power of Non Verbal Cues in Business Communication - Ray Waite 

In the business world, communication is more than just words. It is about how you present yourself, how you engage with others and how you interpret the unspoken signals in every conversation. Whether you are delivering a speech, leading a meeting or negotiating a deal, your non-verbal communication can either strengthen your message or undermine your credibility.

In this engaging session, we’ll explore the power of body language in shaping perceptions and influencing outcomes. You’ll learn how to project confidence, establish trust, and command attention without saying a word. We’ll also dive into the subtle art of reading others so you can adapt your approach in real time and communicate more effectively.

Through real-world examples and practical exercises, you’ll discover how to refine your presence, from the way you enter a room to the way you maintain eye contact and use gestures to reinforce your message. Whether you want to captivate an audience during a presentation or foster stronger connections in meetings, this talk will equip you with the skills to elevate your professional image and communicate with greater impact.

Join us for an eye-opening look at the unspoken elements of communication. Because, in business, what you don’t say is just as important as what you do!

ADHD and Workplace Communication: Challenges and Strategies for Employers - Christine Kotik

ADHD impacts workplace communication in significant ways, affecting attention, impulsivity, and social interactions. Employees with ADHD may struggle with inattentive listening, impulsive interruptions, difficulty reading social cues, emotional reactivity, and disorganized speech. These challenges can lead to misunderstandings, strained relationships, and decreased productivity. Without awareness, ADHD-related behaviors may be misinterpreted as rudeness, lack of engagement, or poor work ethic.

However, with the right support, ADHD employees bring valuable strengths such as creativity, problem-solving, hyperfocus, and adaptability. Employers who recognize and accommodate ADHD can create a more inclusive and effective workplace.

By implementing small adjustments, employers can reduce miscommunication and harness the strengths of neurodiverse employees. These changes improve team collaboration, retention, and overall workplace culture.

Supporting ADHD employees isn’t just about accommodation—it’s about unlocking potential and fostering a more productive, innovative workforce. Investing in clear communication strategies ensures that all employees can thrive, benefiting both individuals and the organization.

Takeaway: A neurodiversity-friendly workplace leads to better engagement, stronger teams, and long-term business success. With awareness and practical communication strategies, employers can turn ADHD-related challenges into opportunities for growth.

Lead with Story: Using Strategic Storytelling to Communicate with Clarity, Confidence, and Impact - Meg Adams

In today’s fast-moving world, attention is currency—and stories are the key to earning it. Whether leading a team, delivering a keynote, or pitching a client, your ability to craft and deliver compelling narratives determines whether your message is heard, remembered, and acted upon.

In this engaging and interactive session, Dr. Meg Adams, a TEDx speaker, professor, and digital storytelling expert, will break down the science and art of storytelling for influence. Attendees will learn how to structure powerful narratives that capture attention, create emotional connection, and drive action.

Key takeaways include:

- A proven framework for crafting compelling stories that engage and persuade

- Techniques for structuring powerful openings and closings that leave lasting impact

- Strategies to adapt storytelling for different audiences and communication settings

- Insights on overcoming imposter syndrome to speak with confidence and authenticity

This session is perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to elevate their communication, strengthen audience engagement, and enhance their personal and professional brand through storytelling. Attendees will leave with practical, research-backed strategies to immediately implement in their presentations, marketing, and leadership communication.

Segment 2

More Than Style - Erin Gehring

"More Than Style," delves into the profound impact of image on personal and professional communication.

We all make countless decisions daily, but one stands out: what to wear. This isn't merely about aesthetics; it's a powerful act of self-care. Erin explores "enclothed cognition," demonstrating how clothing influences our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When we feel confident, we project confidence.

In the communication business, image is paramount. Your audience perceives you before you speak. I'll reveal how simplifying wardrobe choices can amplify your presence and message. Feeling good translates to performing better, enhancing your credibility and connection with your audience.

This isn't just about fashion; it's about leveraging a daily decision to maximize impact. I’ll equip your audience with practical strategies to build a wardrobe that empowers them, ensuring they step into every presentation, meeting, or interaction with unwavering confidence.

By understanding the psychology behind clothing, your audience will learn to harness their image as a tool for success, transforming their personal brand and communication effectiveness.

Communicate With Impact: Inspire, Influence, and Drive Performance - Shirley Ellis

Engage, Connect, Inspire: Captivate Your Audience with Confidence

Want to command the room and leave a lasting impact? True audience engagement goes beyond delivering a message. It’s about creating an experience that resonates.

In this dynamic session, you’ll learn how to capture attention from the first word, build authentic connections, and inspire action with confidence. Discover the power of storytelling, effective body language, and vocal presence to enhance your delivery. Gain practical techniques to read the room, adapt to audience energy, and foster interactive experiences that keep people engaged.

Whether you’re speaking on stage, leading a team, or presenting virtually or sharing ideas, this session will equip you with the tools to not just speak, but to truly engage, connect, and inspire.

Interview with a CEO - Jeff Higgins with Laurie Sharp-Page

As a Business Executive and Entrepreneur Jeff thought he was a pretty good communicator. After learning about professional speaking and writing a book, Jeff realized his communication skills were not as strong as he thought. This interview will explore insights on how to communicate with executives and insights on communication pitfalls for executives.

Roll Up Your Sleeves in Hands-on Skills Labs (choose two)

How to Develop Clarity, Conciseness, and Consistency - Lillian Zarzar

You will learn the tools of effective presentations: how to use specificity in terminology; how to avoid cluttered words, and how to develop a personal brand that aligns with your values.  An audience-centered approach engages and inspires. The ability to use language successfully is the hallmark of effective speaking!

Capture and Keep Listener Attention With The Power Trio - Michael Davis

Every memorable and impactful speaker, leader, and salesperson understands that storytelling isn’t only about what you say—it’s about how you shape the experience for your audience.

If your message isn’t landing the way you want, it’s not because of your content. It’s because of the gap between the story in your head and the one in your listeners’ heads.

The Hidden Forces Shaping Your Impact

There are three crucial forces at play every time you communicate. Ignore them, and your message will fall flat.

But when you align them, your influence skyrockets.

✅ Unlock a deeper level of confidence, eliminating hesitation and uncertainty.
✅ Shift your audience’s mindset before you begin speaking.
✅ Create an emotional connection that leads to action—not just applause.

Most communicators focus only on what they want to say. That’s why they struggle to connect, persuade, and inspire.

But when you recognize the invisible narratives shaping every interaction, you gain an advantage most speakers never consider.

Using The Power of Story to Communicate Globally - Greg Kozera

Use of stories is common in presentations and keynotes. They make us memorable. People remember stories longer than our facts. We all remember a Bible story. Those stories are thousands of years old. All cultures have stories.

Stories can be an effective global marketing tool. Greg  has spoken to audiences in Europe & Asia.

All are engaged with effective stories. If they remember your story they can remember your message and you.

This session will help participants learn how to use story as a major part of their marketing plan to create awareness of their product or service.

Actionable Feedback That Drives Improvement - Jim Canterucci

Feedback is one of the most powerful tools of successful business communication yet so often, it falls flat, creates confusion, or fails to inspire real improvement. In this interactive session, Attendees will learn how to transform feedback from a routine task into a catalyst for growth and performance enhancement.

Drawing on principles from Change Breakthrough Analysis, a tool described in the morning general session, we’ll explore how to structure feedback conversations that create clarity, build trust, and motivate action. Participants will learn how to turn observations into meaningful discussions, bring clarity, and ensure that feedback leads to measurable change in behavior.

Key takeaways will include:

• The psychology behind effective feedback and why most feedback fails
• A framework for structuring feedback that inspires change
• Techniques to turn negative reactions into positive momentum
• Practical exercises to improve feedback delivery and reception

Through real-world case studies, hands-on exercises, and engaging discussions, attendees will walk away with actionable tools they can immediately apply in their organizations to improve performance, strengthen relationships, and create lasting change.

Communication Mastery Conference Agenda October 17

8:30 - 9:00 - Registration, Breakfast & Networking

9:00 - 9:10 - Welcome - Emcee Bethany George

9:10 - 9:55 General Session - The Change Communicators Edge: An Intentional Approach to Everyday Conversations - Jim Canterucci

9:55 - 10:05 Break

10:05 - 10:50 Concurrent Sessions

1 - Your Image Speaks Before You Do: The Power of Non-Verbal Cues in Business Communication - Ray Waite

2 - ADHD and Workplace Communication: Challenges and Strategies for Employers - Christine Kotik

3. Led With Story: Using Strategic Storytelling to Communicate with Clarity, Confidence and Impact - Meg Adams

10:55 - 11:10 - Networking Break

11:10 - 11:55 General Session - Communicating Your Value:  Strategies to Articulate Your Unique Value, Increase Visibility, and Expand Your Professional Network - Hope Yin, Patrick Donadio

11:55 - 12:20 Lunch 

12:20 - 12:35 NSA Ohio President and Ohio University Message - Molly Ketcham NSA Ohio, Brian Plow Ohio University

12:35 - 1:00 General Session - Curiosity Quest - Molly Ketcham

1:05 - 1:50 - Concurrent Sessions

1 - More Than Style - Erin Gehring

2 - Communicate With Impact: Inspire, Influence, and Drive Performance - Shirley Ellis

3 - Interview with a CEO - Jeff Higgins

1:50 - 2:10 - Networking Break

2:10 - 2:50 Skills Labs (Select 2 20 minute presentations)

1 - How to Develop Clarity, Conciseness, and Consistency - Lilian Zarzar

2 - Capture and Keep Listener Attention With The Power Trio - Michael Davis

3 - Using The Power of Story To Market Globally - Greg Kozera

4 - Actionable Feedback That Drives Improvement - Jim Canterucci

2:55 - 3:35 General Session - From Nervous To Notable: How To Communicate With Confidence and Impact - Michael Pope

3:40 - 4:10 The Business of Communication: Connecting The Dots - Phil Barth

 4:10 - 4:30 Final Drawings

4:30 - 5:00 Informal Networking