“I joined the Academy several years ago because I wanted to speak more confidently in front of the professional athletes I work with. The whole experience opened my eyes to what was possible for me and other speakers! I got introduced to world-class speakers and programming that blew my mind. And as the year progressed, it helped me build the confidence to start my own speaking business. Today, my speaking business is thriving, and I owe it all to the Speakers Academy and the instructors. If you are thinking about joining, I would encourage you to do so. You won’t regret it!.”

Cindra Kamphoff, PhD, NSA-MN President, 2021-22 

“It was October 2014 when I decided to pursue my professional speaking career and start a bank consulting business—at the same time. A friend recommended that I join the National Speakers Association, so I started my research. The following year on October 2015 I joined the Speakers Academy. It was the right decision. My biggest takeaway was when they asked us the question: “Why do you speak?” “What is your message that you want to share with the world?” But they not only asked us the question, they helped us answer it too. I was trained in community banking, not in public speaking, even though I had been speaking for about fifteen years. The instructors shared tools, methodologies, and tips to improve ourselves as speakers, but also taught us how to run the “business of public speaking.” I am grateful to NSA and to the Speakers Academy. If you’re looking for a place to improve yourself as a speaker and also to maximize your business opportunities, I encourage you to invest in yourself and attend the Speakers Academy.”

-Marcia (“Marci”) Malzahn, NSA-MN Past President

“I joined the Speaker Academy in 2015 to develop the skills I needed to grow my speaking and training business. The Speaker’s Academy helped me get clear on my message, my marketing plan, and gave me the confidence I needed to really ramp up my business. One of the best parts of Speaker Academy was having an accountability partner. We still meet every month to share our goals and mastermind together. Today, I have a thriving speaking and training business thanks to the Speaker Academy and NSA.”

-Liz Uram, NSA-MN Past President