bringing our full selves...
onto the stage…
into the studio...
backstage…
Films and words.
Kat Imhoff
President and CEO of the Montpelier Foundation, James Madison’s Montpelier
Working with Kate in creating a TEDx presentation was an incredible experience. Not only did her adept coaching help me reposition my institution and my own work but maybe more importantly - and uniquely - she helped me find my voice. And finding that voice, the place you stand in the world, is a rare and unusual gift.
Andrew Block
Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice, Commonwealth of Virginia
I loved working with Kate. She coaxed, she nudged, she questioned, she provoked. She was centered and challenging all at one time. My talk would not have happened in the way it did - neither the content nor the presentation - without her. Most importantly, perhaps, we had fun throughout the process. I have never worked with a speech coach before, but I am quite confident that working with Kate has ruined me for working with anyone else!
Rachel Bagby
Keynote Speaker, Women’s Leadership Muse
Kate’s mastery as a speaking coach is rooted in her golden ears, generous, intelligent heart and actor’s ethic of rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing. I work out with Kate in order to clarify–then confidently ditch–my keynote scripts and improvise my storysinging in a way that ignites audiences’ creativity.
Andrew D. Kaufman
Internationally recognized Tolstoy Scholar and subject of the film, Seats at the Table.
Over the years I’ve worked with speaking coaches and have studied acting professionally, and can say that nobody has had quite the same impact on me as Kate Bennis. She’s the full package: extremely intuitive, creative, gentle, tough, and analytical all at the same time. From inviting me to think hard about the nuts and bolts of talk structure, to encouraging me to take creative risks and reveal my authentic self on stage, Kate has quite simply helped take my speaking to a whole new level. Ever since I started working with Kate I feel more alive and authentic in front of an audience and I’m having a lot more fun, too! People who have seen me speak for years have noticed the difference. Now whenever I have to give a talk that matters—and every talk matters!—the first person I call is Kate Bennis.
Liza Donnelly
New Yorker Cartoonist, the New Yorker
I so enjoyed working with Kate on my TEDx talk! She is a fantastic listener and knew just how much input to offer to help me make the right choices on content; plus we thought of new things together as we had fun brainstorming the possibilities. Kate is energetic and thoughtful. She understood my style of speaking and thinking, and guided me to create a new direction in staging and performing that I had never done before. It was thrilling. I can't wait to work
Dr. James Coan
Professor of Psychology, UVA School of Psychology
Kate saw right through my ‘professional speaker’ self and worked with me to bring my personal self more confidently to the stage. She helped me see the benefits of leaving my slides and props behind, and empowered me to just tell my story as if it mattered to me, which of course it does. Colleagues have remarked on how impressed they were to see me talking more or less extemporaneously in front of such a large audience, but the truth is, I actually enjoyed myself immensely. In the end, it felt much less like work than giving talks usually does. I have Kate to thank for that.
Yael Melamede
Filmmaker, Salty Features
Kate brings to her work an extraordinary blend of intelligence, curiosity, patience, creativity and enthusiasm. Her background as an actor, communicator, and storyteller, makes her empathetic and insightful. I felt extremely lucky to be able to work with her on my TEDX presentation and would work with her again in a heartbeat.
Lewis Miller
Flower Flash Originator, Floral and Event Designer, Lewis Miller Design
Doing my first TED talk was such an exciting albeit slightly nerve-wracking experience. Working with Kate was such a dream - she immediately made me feel comfortable and was so instrumental in collaborating with me to create a presentation style that was comfortable and authentic. Thank You, Kate, for the tips, the coaching, the support and the positive energy!
Ami Vitale
Photographer, Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic Magazine Photographer
Kate took my scattered thoughts and tirelessly worked to help me find my story. She has this unique ability to help us find our voice...to see what makes each person special.
Mark Wingfield
Pastor, author and speaker, Wilshire Baptist Church and Baptist News
Kate Bennis knows her stuff. And she knows how to communicate it clearly to those she coaches. Being able to do and being able to coach often don’t go hand in hand. Kate has them both and demonstrates a graceful manner of nurture and development that encourages and gets results.