Testimonials
“You do bring out the best in people, Candace. Our Amazon team loved working with you.”
Georgette Verdin
Global Director
Leadership Development
Amazon
“Candace’s professionalism, experience, and communication skills resulted in a training session that was among the very best I have ever attended.”
Brian McCarthy
General Manager
Pacific NW Marketing Team
Microsoft
“We hired Candace to provide a professional speaking skills course to our technology team. She is the exemplar of an effective public speaker and trainer. I highly recommend Candace if you want to obtain immediately usable, career-enhancing skills.”
Mara Krieps
Director, Scaled Agile eXperience
HBO
“Your session has really made a huge difference for me. Thanks again, Candace.”
Robin Bishop
International Program Director
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
“Candace is a true professional who came to us with an open mind and tackled any question we threw her way. To quote a member of my team, ‘In my 1:1 session, Candace offered me a handy tip for reducing ‘ums’ which instantly worked!’ This quote says it all — Candace can solve any problem you have in wanting to be a better presenter.”
Erica Leavitt
Sr. Digital Marketing Manager
Expedia
“We learned from highly respected journalist Candace BelAir that every reporter has an agenda, and public affairs professionals should, too. According to BelAir, for an effective media relationship, public affairs practitioners must understand what makes news, and how to approach the media.”
“Crossing the “Gulf of Media Relations”
Department of Defense
Joint Course in Communication
“The feedback we received is that your presentation was the best part of our conference. You addressed exactly what we needed. Thank you so much for customizing your content for our audience.”
Nancy DiFrancia
Director of Human Resources
Comcast
“Candace has provided Executive Coaching and Presentation Skills classes to Paccar’s Global Leadership Development teams on numerous occasions. She brings professionalism and expertise, and really connects with her audiences.”
Toby Skey
Director, Human Resources
Paccar
“Candace’s Communications Training was of immediate and practical benefit for our research team leaders. The tools and feedback she provided helped them convey the importance of our accomplishments to the lay community.”
James AuBuchon, M.D.
President and CEO Bloodworks NW
(Formerly Puget Sound Blood Center)
“Thank you for sharing your wisdom, experience, and energy with us. Your “How to Stay Cool on the Hot Seat” program for our Executive Seminar was just what we were hoping for.”
Patty Anderson
Executive Director
“I found Candace’s class so useful that I quickly engaged her for speech-making advice. She is a skilled instructor and excellent speaker herself. She focused right in on my personal style with practical, targeted advice. Best of all, she gives you confidence!”
Linda Strout
Former Deputy CEO & General Counsel
Port of Seattle
“Our experience with Candace was one of the best we have ever had with a training consultant. The quality of service and the value she provided to our executive team was amazing.”
Brett Thompson
Sr. VP Human Resources
Classmates Online, Inc.
“As a former reporter, Candace knows the trade intimately and can instantly put you into a real interview. As an articulate presenter, she tailors her delivery to make the most effective use of your time. As a business-savvy coach, she speaks your language. I recommend Candace without reservation for any media or presentation skills building activities.”
Dan Gerrity
President & CEO
Coinstar
“Candace added immense value by prepping our Executive Team to present to companies interested in acquiring Clarisonic. Although I’m an experienced presenter, I found that my capabilities grew as well. We were so pleased that we invited Candace to coach our outside sales force. Those who scoffed, ‘What can she teach me? I make my living presenting,’ reported, ‘Wow, I never knew how much more effective I could become!’”
David Giuliani
Co-Founder & CEO
Clarisonic
“Many of our managers considered your workshop on Crisis Communications the most valuable of the two-day meeting.”
Duane Woods
VP & General Counsel, Western Region
Waste Management
“Candace BelAir is a true professional. Amazing at what she does, she engaged with each member of our team to identify their individual strengths and help them achieve their personal best. Everyone felt great about the time they spent with her.”
Allison Arden
Publisher
Advertising Age
“I have taken Candace’s media and speaker training seminars and highly recommend them. In fact, we required our entire senior leadership team to take her trainings. Communication is the key to leadership and Candace will make anyone a better speaker and presenter.”
Kevin Nakao
President & COO
White Pages
“I really appreciate your combination of encouragement and ability to push me. Among the most valuable experiences of my professional life!”
Bill Crandall
Vice-President
Aol.Advertising
“Candace provided absolutely wonderful media training to our staff. Anyone would benefit from her practical wisdom. Additionally, she is as pleasant as can be.”
Mark Asmundson
Executive Director
Northwest Clean Air Agency
“I sent the Department of Natural Resource’s top management team to Candace’s Media Training, and all of us learned a great deal. She was both practical and entertaining. Her know-how as an experienced journalist is invaluable.”
Doug Sutherland
Commissioner of Public Lands
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
“We used Candace to train about 100 customer-facing employees, who are now ready to hit the ground running. I have also used Candace as a personal coach. Her programs – which use real-life examples that create robust discussions – are worth every penny.”
Martha Monfried
Director Corporate Communications
Puget Sound Energy
“Thanks, Candace. Outstanding comments from everyone on your training. Well done!”
Chief Deputy Steven D. Strachan
King County Sheriff’s Office
“Thank you for your effective and sensitive coaching. It is clear you are a professional and the time with you was incredibly valuable for me.”
Anna Collins
General Manager
Search Marketing Operations
MSN
“Candace is an incredible teacher. Her insight, candor and first-hand experience are invaluable. I highly recommend her.”
Lori Butala
HR Director
Eddie Bauer
“Thank you for the great session with the Intermec team. It was a fantastic use of 3 hours — educational, engaging, entertaining, and delivered on what you said it would.”
John O’Rourke
VP Global Marketing
Intermec
“Over the past several years, Candace has trained our key executives to respond confidently to media interviews of all types. She is truly ‘Media Smart.’ ”
Diane McIntyre
Public Relations Director
Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream
“Candace is the consummate Public Relations professional. She gets results.”
Lane Hoss
VP Marketing
Anthony’s Restaurants
“What a presentation! It was one of the best we’ve ever had. You left them stimulated, energized, and ready to go into the courtroom!”
Nancy J. Isham
Executive Director
Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys
“Your Crisis Communications training was outstanding. The best way to learn is through practice, and the best way to practice is in a non-threatening environment.”
Chief Annette Sandberg
Washington State Patrol
“Instead of simply correcting my mistakes, Candace helped me find a way of speaking that leverages the unique aspects of my personality. I truly believe few coaches could have done this for me in such a short time.”
Brent Turner,
Exec. VP, Call Advertising Products
Marchex
“You were very helpful, Candace. I really enjoyed the session and learned a lot. Thanks again.”
Richard Molteni, M.D.
Medical Director
Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center
“Wow! Had I known what you could do for the Washington Wine Commission, I would have contracted with you years ago. You are the wine industry’s secret weapon!”
Steve Burns
Executive Director
Washington Wine Commission
“Candace is ‘top notch.’ She gave me great tips, and thanks to her, my speech went well.”
Bob Nuber
Chairman
Clark Nuber
“Candace, you have been a wonderful influence on our Executive Team. I am extremely pleased with the results and feedback I have received from all participants. This has been a great investment!”
Eric T. Overton
President & CEO
Sparling
“Thanks for an excellent day of Presentation Skills training. You were informative, challenging and supportive. You won over a tough crowd.”
Ken Mundt
Communications Director
Flow International Corp.
“Candace, someone needs to create a word that describes you. It would include vibrant, articulate, brilliant, down-to-earth, refreshing, inspiring, contemporary, relevant, and a bright spot in the day. You are truly amazing!”
Melissa Borders
Vice President
Washington Athletic Club
“Candace has coached me through several presentations and has taken my public speaking up to a level I never thought I could achieve. She has allowed me to be myself and to find my own style of speaking while learning the art of capturing an audience.”
Court Stanley
President
Port Blakely Tree Farms
“Media Training can be quite intimidating, but Candace’s style makes you feel like she is really there for you and wants you to succeed. She makes the training informative and enjoyable.”
Candice Douglass
Public Relations Director
Cell Therapeutics
“The feedback and the evaluations from our attendees was outstanding. The results reinforced your high level of enthusiasm, your extensive expertise, and your exemplary communication and presentation skills. These added up to a wonderful learning experience for us all.”
Steve Spitzer
Associate Managing Director
Seafair
“Thank you so much for your seminar on Making Effective Presentations. We received many positive comments from appreciative employees about the techniques and tips you shared for effective public speaking.”
Jill Nishi
Deputy Director
State of Washington Office of Trade and Economic Development
“Your presentation was a terrific addition to our lineup of seminars addressing issues that affect our owners, managers and agents.”
Jeanne Grainger
President, Marketing & Communications
Windermere Services Co.
“Our meeting went very well! Thanks for your coaching and feedback. Your advice was evident in the performance of our presenting corps.”
Dan Pyne
CEO
Zetec
“The ‘word of mouth’ about you has caused us to add more sessions. People have been asking to be included. In all my time here, I have never known anyone to ask to be included in a training. This speaks volumes about the value you are bringing to our department.”
Colleen Blake
Director, Sales Operations & Admin.
Group Health
“I recommend Candace for speakers’ training without reservations. She is highly professional and insightful, and helped me specifically identify how to improve my public speaking.”
Mary McWilliams,
Executive Director
Puget Sound Health Alliance
“With the benefit of Candace’s expertise we were able to divert a crisis and establish ourselves as the solution. I keep her materials on my desk, so when reporters call I know the direction I should take.”
Barbara J. Lally,
Director of Public Affairs
Washington REALTORS
“Your workshop was well-designed to give practical tips and ideas, with clear and doable instructions. Your presentation was warm and enthusiastic – it was a truly fun evening! I know the merchants found it to be well worth their time.”
Sue Gilbert Mooers
Communications Specialist
Pike Place Market
“I went into our session thinking it would be just another management training and came out convinced that everyone in our company needs to experience the power of Candace’s skills and abilities.”
Gary Hogue
President
The Hogue Cellars
“Working with Candace really made a difference for me, so much so that I have since referred some of my executives to her for coaching.”
Keith Oelrich
President & CEO
Apex Learning
“Thank you for giving us useful, practical information that we can put to use immediately.”
Betsy Pozzanghera
Educational Director
Washington Restaurant Assoc.
“Candace’s workshop was an enormous success. One participant commented, ‘I have attended several media relations workshops and this one was the best by far!’ And, coming from a ‘millennial’ in the audience, ‘Great session! I felt the urge to tweet about it all morning!’ I highly recommend Candace to any group looking to improve their communication skills, especially in stressful situations.”
Roy Seidler
Executive Director
Manitoba Association of School Business Officials
“Top notch! Candace’s presentation, “Surefire Techniques for Success When a CFO Speaks” drew a standing-room-only crowd and rave reviews. A great program from an engaging and entertaining speaker.”
Richard Denmark
President
Financial Executives International
“At PR Newswire, we are very selective in what we present to our clients. We are constantly thinking of new and better ways to bring value-added programs to companies that trust us with their corporate news. I can say without reservation that your session was of value to myself, my associates, and our collective client base.”
Derek Farley
Bureau Manager
PR Newswire
“Candace helped us focus on delivering a more professional presentation and developing confidence along the way. Any sales team armed with these skills will return more revenue.”
Sophia Marciano
Director of Sales and Marketing
KONG-TV
“We could not have asked for a more qualified individual to teach us how to work effectively with the media. Your teaching style was stimulating and refreshing.”
Kim Larson
Public Relations Chair
Washington State Dietetic Assoc.
“Candace was beyond our expectations with knowledge, experience and professionalism. A true expert.”
Judy Hommen
Director, Training & Development
Carey International, Inc.
“You knew more than we knew to ask.”
Bill Garrity
Executive Director
Consulting Engineers Council of Washington
