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CIMRO of Nebraska was exceptionally fortunate to have Cy Wakeman as a keynote speaker at the 2007 Nebraska Healthcare Quality Forum. She was a wonderful addition to our agenda and an excellent conclusion to the day. Effective leadership skills are something we can all benefit from. Cy’s stories and first-hand experience shared was very valuable and informative. The speaker evaluations were fantastic and attendees raved about her presentation style, content and message.
Keri McDermott, BA
Communications Director
CIMRO of Nebraska
Cy Wakeman understands her audience! Cy did a wonderful job of recognizing our team members for their above and beyond performance. What was so great; however, was that she really got to the core of what it takes to perform in the job to continue to excel and be considered a role model, etc. Our team members in the audience -- and their guests -- took something away that evening above and beyond feeling recognized. They thought about how their actions can drive results in the workplace and take them to the next level in their career. They were recognized, they learned and they were motivated! This is exactly what we wanted our team members to take away from the evening.
Following each dinner, several of our guests stopped Cy and wanted to talk with her one-on-one. She gave each person who asked her undivided attention and spent as much time with them as they needed. Many of our guests came up to me and told me how much they appreciated what she had to say. Cy is the epitome of a dynamic speaker who understands her audience and will do what it takes to give the client what they need.
Carrie Wolter
Communications Consultant
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Cy’s engaging, energizing and motivating keynote address with the WIN Nevada group earlier this year really hit the mark. She had a strong message and an entertaining delivery style that made all of us think twice about the lessons she delivered. It was great to see the audience stay after the meeting to talk and share stories that aligned with her message. I believe they learned and enjoyed – a home run with this organization!
Chris Cox, WIN Board Member, Owner and Chief Learning Officer
Amplitude
“‘Cy “WOWED” everyone in attendance!’ Cy Wakeman has been one piece of a significant investment over the last five years in developing our organization’s leaders. One very important piece! Cy is dynamic, engaging, on point, and does a great job getting at the proverbial “elephants in the middle of the table!”
James G. FitzPatrick, CHE
President and CEO, Mercy Medical Center, North Iowa
“‘Cy’s sessions are enlightening, thought-provoking, and practical.’ We’ve made great changes in our organization over the last three years, and often I’ll hear people long after her programs say, “Well, as Cy said…”
James L. Mounce
President, Woodmen of the World
“‘Cy Wakeman amazes and dazzles audiences with her sincerity, authenticity, frankness, and humor.’ Whether serving as a keynote presenter or an emcee, Cy has been a tremendous asset to ICAN’s programming. If you are looking for a bright, talented speaker who can move an audience to action, I would give Cy Wakeman “two thumbs up.”
Sherry L. Helmke
Executive Director, ICAN
“‘Cy Wakeman is a dynamic speaker with an uncanny ability to communicate a message to an audience.’ Cy understands human behavior and has the ability to get to the heart of the subject in such a way that everyone in the audience relates to her. I see audiences highly charged for action when Cy has completed her presentation.”
Carol Schneider
County Extension Education Director, Iowa State University
Cy Wakeman’s presentation was a great success. Cy’s explanation of change management made a lasting impression with everyone. She has the unique ability to “teach” complex issues in a fun environment. Her sense of humor was extremely engaging and her use of real-life examples kept everyone focused. To this day, employees continue to use the concepts discussed and at the meeting. Cy Wakeman’s enthusiasm and excitement only added to the success of our event!
Lisa Roskens
President, Chief Executive Officer
The Burlington Capital Group
We are a company that holds customer service to the highest level possible and expect the same from those we work with. Cy exceeded our training expectations. We were so impressed that we’ve had Cy provide training for two of our subsidiaries.
Our management team desires training that provides them with real-life tools they can use immediately on the job. They got just that from Cy and much more valuable information as well. Cy has a way of telling stories that grabs your interest and that people talk about well after the training has ended. Employees and managers quote Cy even 1-2 years after the training took place Cy can be distinguished from other trainers in that participants have enjoyed her presentations, applied the training to their job, and asked for her to present again.
In the 23 years I have been in Human Resource management I have seen trainers from across the country. I value the time we have employees and managers devote to training and make sure our trainers are top notch. Cy is on top of my list of exceptional trainers. She is professional, yet personal and more importantly provides training that is sustained.
Nancy Conway
Sr Human Resource Manager
Cabela’s
Cy has provided clear direction and substance to the changes required for Burgess to become a truly great company. Cy has the ability to lead an organization through a brutally honest assessment of current status, the development of desired state, the development of an aggressive action plan, and to lead the leadership through the implementation of the action plan. I believe Cy’s greatest strength comes from her ability present educational material to leadership in such a way that challenges current beliefs resulting in open and honest discussion of current status of an organization and the definition of the desired state. Cy combines real life experiences, knowledge, and her sense of humor to present organizational, human resource, and leadership theory in manner which resonates with both new and experienced leaders.
I would and have recommended Cy to other organizations which are seeking a energetic, humorous, knowledgeable, and engaging speaker in the areas of organizational development, human resources, and leadership. She is the best I have had the pleasure to hear in these areas.
Fran Tramp, President
Burgess Health Center
Cy commits energy and valuable content to her presentations. She provides practical solutions to problems burdening businesses in the face of change. Her motto, "Helping organizations thrive in challenging times!" mirrors what she provides to attendees. I highly recommend attendance at these engaging seminars.
Charlene M. Schou
Human Resource Manager & Safety Director
Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
Whether it's enhancing professional development through the "Leadership Lessons of Lewis & Clark", or instituting organizational change by "Succeeding in Spite of the Facts", Cy's explicit energy, compelling anecdotes, and creative facilitation style provided Iowa State University and University Extension Staff with the tools to affect positive change. Post-conference conversation was buzzing with plans to implement Cy's strategies within and across colleges and departments.
Carol A. Heaverlo, M.S., Outreach Coordinator
Program for Women in Science and Engineering
Iowa State University, Ames Iowa
Cy has a tremendous ability to understand her audience on a personal level and thereby structure a program that is non-threatening and right to the point. Over a course of time and through a variety of fun and engaging learning and listening techniques, she was able to take our management team through a process that allowed us to work and think as a unified and effective team. Today that team is providing the leadership necessary to take our organization to levels they never thought imaginable before. I have listened to and worked with quite a number of motivational and developmental speakers and consultants, and without a doubt, Cy is in the top of the class!
Rhea Geary, President & CEO
Prince Manufacturing Corporation
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As a result of Cy Wakeman joining forces with the Human Resource and Executive teams at Omnium Worldwide, Inc, we gained clarity and purpose in our quest for a comprehensive enterprise talent management process. In our journey to move from good to great, Cy has the unique ability to ask the hard questions and to push the envelope, forcing us to address the hard issues that are often time left on the table. Her years of experience in the business world bring a credible perspective to her consultative advice. She is far from being a “cookie cutter consultant” that delivers a binder of strategies and tactics and leaves. She is there to execute, and she holds herself accountable for our corporate results. Trust and integrity combined with keen insight are words that the recipients of her personal coaching would use in reference to Cy. Her tough-mindedness combined with her humor and sensitivity makes her a rare find.
Mary G. Rahal
Chief Human Capital Officer
Omnium Worldwide, Inc.
“Cy is awesome – a very captivating speaker. Cy is one of the most sought after speakers in the Midwest. Last year she presented in September, and again at a luncheon meeting and subsequent technical session on November 8, 2005. Her November presentations “Leading Successful Change – The Competency of Competitive Advantage” and “Coaching Leaders to Lead Successful Change Efforts” were extremely well received with 96% of attendees rating the lunch session Excellent-Good and 98% of the tech session attendees rating it Excellent-Good.”
Laurie S. Pieper Director, Human Resources
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
President, Human Resource Association of the Midlands
“Cy Wakeman is a top notch presenter. When Cy first spoke at the State Conference in 2004, her speaker ratings were the highest, with an almost perfect overall score. Her packed break-out sessions were a tribute to Cy’s success. In fact, we consider Cy’s name on the agenda as one of the enticements that bring professionals to the conference. Her name on the program means an outstanding session.”
Ruth M. Jones, SPHR
Director, SHRM Nebraska State Council
Cy Wakeman has been a great help to Wayne State College in strategic planning and as a human resources consultant. Her intelligence, experience, insight and humor are appreciated by the officers and employees with whom she has worked.
Sheila Stearns, President
Wayne State College
Cy is professional, candid, informational, and helpful. I believe her message and her help in getting our different groups ‘on the same page’ was right on target. I highly recommend her to any one who needs someone that thinks on their feet, helps people draw consensus, and leaves the group better prepared for the tasks in front of them. Cy is an excellent example of someone that has ’been there, done that’. She is a very good speaker.
Dwight K. Conover, Chairman
Northwest Financial
Cy has made such a powerful impact on our company. Engaging a group of construction workers, office workers and the management team in the same setting is certainly a challenge. Cy’s energy filled program and presentation set everyone at ease and started the process of an open dialogue, a common language, an appreciation of each groups challenges and truly made everyone understand we were one team with many needed roles. Cy really connected with our entire company. By the end of our initial training everyone was still very energized and relished the new knowledge we had just acquired. We have seen both immediate and long-term results in attitude, retention, production and profitability. Cy has truly provided us a “company life-changing experience”. This experience has been so profound that Cy is now a regular resource for our company.
Joe Balus
Thermal Services, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer
“What was gained was beyond what I could have imagined. I found myself, as well as my staff, growing in a variety of ways. I get so excited when I think of where ‘we’ were, how far ‘we’ have come, and where ‘we’ can be.”
Karen Vlach, Administrator
Oakland Memorial Hospital
Cy brings a high level of energy and insight into challenges organizations are facing today. Our participants enjoy her humorous approach to serious problems, her energy, and the real-life examples used to illustrate the points she is making. Cynthia can break problems down in a straightforward, easy-to-understand way and then provide the tools and solutions needed to accomplish goals.”
Mary E. Foley, Director
Leadership Training
Iowa Farm Bureau Foundation
“Cynthia clearly understood our goals going into the session and with her thought-provoking and energetic style. She managed to create a stimulating flow of ideas. She was masterful in keeping participants attentive and involved. Board members left the sessions feeling good about the process and energized with new ideas.”
Debi Durham, President
Siouxland Chamber of Commerce
Cy was able to manage this diverse group of strong personalities to achieve the stated meeting objectives AND she did so within the time and budget allowed for this event. Cy has a unique ability to challenge individuals’ thought processes in a non-threatening and friendly way – and she easily interacts with employees on all levels. Cy is a high-energy, motivational, thought-provoking and results-oriented speaker.
Scott Focht, VP Strategic Planning
First National Merchant Solutions
“To say that she is effective in getting a group excited and involved in thinking about their past, present and future is an understatement. Cy’s ability to challenge our thinking, make us laugh and get us to be a part of a solution is amazing, consistent and a joy to be a part of. She is a catalyst to any organization that needs motivation and help with strengthening teamwork and getting a job done!”
Cristina Thomas, Vice President,
Chief Information Officer
Mercy Medical Center
“Cy’s facilitation skills are amazing. She quickly builds rapport with her audience and produces results beyond what we imagined possible in the short time provided and limited resources available. I recommend her often to business and associations wanting to truly recreate themselves.”
Nancy – Nogg Rahauser, Assistant Dean, College of Business
University of Nebraska, Omaha
To Whom It May Concern:
Cy Wakeman’s presentations to the Burlington Capital Group have been honest, engaging, and relevant. Her humor and straight-forward style make immediate connections with her audience while her knowledge and experience bring credibility and respect. We have received consistent positive feedback, from seasoned associates to new hires and from entry level associates to our executives, on how applicable and enjoyable her presentations are. One person commented that “Cy says what you’re thinking and are too afraid to say out loud.” In a business climate of constant change, Cy has equipped members of our organization with the information and skills necessary to manage change and help manage people who must manage change.
Kevin Hensel, M.A.
Director, Communications & Marketing
and Employee Relations & Development
The Burlington Capital Group
“The way Cy shared her story and how she grew personally by ‘cultivating the virtues rather than focusing on the outcome’ was exceptional. Cy’s organization of thoughts, humor, and the energy she projected was extremely powerful. The best I have ever enjoyed and the most information gained!”
Dina Mercadante, LMHC
Women’s Resource Center
Sarasota, FL
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