Member Spotlights 2024

November 2024: Nanci Appleman-Vassil, CSP®

In this month’s Speaker Spotlight, NSA Carolinas Member of the Year and Emmy-award winning broadcaster, keynote speaker and corporate trainer Sharon Delaney McCloud CDE® interviews Nanci Appleman-Vassil CSP®, NSA Carolinas Past President and the visionary Founder and CEO of APLS Group, a premier organization in leadership, talent development, coaching, and consulting. Together, they delve into Nanci’s inspiring career journey and the profound impact of human connection and relationships. This conversation is filled with valuable insights and takeaways you won’t want to miss!

October 2024: Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP®, CPAE

In this month’s Speaker Spotlight, we feature the aforementioned NSA legend, Hall of Famer, DEI Strategist, and one of the cornerstones of our Chapter: Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP®, CPAE.

At our annual meeting earlier this year, we caught up with Lenora, a highly respected and influential figure in the speaking community.

She shared her wisdom on speaker development and on how NSA Carolinas membership fosters personal and professional growth, connection, and continuous learning.

Her words are not only insightful but truly inspiring for anyone looking to elevate their speaking journey.

Check it out!

September 2024: Michael Clegg

In this month’s Speaker Spotlight, NSAC Member LaVada Humphrey, TEDx Keynote Speaker, Development Coach & Trainer, interviews Michael Clegg, TEDx Keynote Speaker, CEO of Q Works Group and CEO of Leadership Squared about his speaking journey.

What was the "why" that prompted you to pursue a Professional Speaker career?

I had a pretty tragic accident that resulted in someone's death, and I struggled through a recovery early on. I decided that I could help other people through their trauma with some unique recovery techniques and chose to share it on a TEDx stage.

How do you maintain balance with work and family?

I focus on uncommitting from lower-value activities. I either delegate or eliminate them. Running two companies and coaching high school football only leaves a little bit of time, so creating space by getting rid of lower-value activities is key.

How do you measure success in your speaking career?

I'm just getting started. My focus is on delivering value, sharing things the audience hasn't heard before.

What motivates and inspires you to continue growing and evolving as a speaker?

I want to humanize 1 million conscious leaders. A conscious leader is highly reflective and introspective, which enables them to improve. They can only deliver high value as a leader if they've become the best version of themselves first.

Please share some advice you've received that has helped you as a speaker.

Focus on the outcomes for the audience and tell remarkable stories that support your points.

Can you share a favorite speaking topic or area of expertise that you are passionate about?

"Becoming the Future You" is a combination of leadership and self-development. I focus on leaders, people with a post-traumatic growth mindset, and anyone who feels stuck in their day-to-day life.

Please share anything else you'd like us to know.

This is a new passion for me. I get so much energy when I'm on stage—it's an amazing career to have. I don't speak full-time yet, but I'll be speaking more in 2025 than I ever have.

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August 2024: 

This month, NSAC Marketing Team Member Brooklin Green, Communication Experts, Teacher, Keynote Speaker and Comedian, interviews Valda Ford, MPH, MS, RN; an international Keynote Speaker, Award-winning Humanitarian, Podcast Host; and Health and Wellness Expert about her Speaking journey, and what role NSA Carolinas played in it!

Click to launch the video: 

Thank you Valda for your time and your insight!