Speaking Programs

So, You Want to Get on a Board?
Many leaders aspire to join the highest echelon of organizational decision-making — the Board of Directors. This presentation is your guide to making that ambition a reality. But how do you secure a Board position, and why is it a valuable career move? Tech-savvy C-level executive, Former State CIO, and certified board director Theresa Szczurek, NACD.DC, who has served on numerous corporate, government, higher education, and non-profit boards, will share actionable tips to kickstart and excel in your Board journey. Through Szczurek’s story, you will uncover practical dos and don'ts essential for your success.

To the Top: Lessons for Leaders from My Climb Up Kilimanjaro
Do you want to accelerate your career journey, overcome obstacles, and ensure that you reap the real rewards along the way? In this entertaining and content-filled session, Szczurek shares practical leadership lessons learned succeeding as the CIO of a $30B enterprise combined with the exciting story of getting to the top of the tallest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro (elevation 19,341 ft). Learn practical pointers, discerned from real-world experience and extensive research, that help you and your organization produce extraordinary results, more fun, and more success!

Pursuit of Passionate Purpose: Success Strategies for a Rewarding Personal and Business Life
Organizations are asking, "How can we improve productivity, retain the best people, and generate superior financial performance?" People are asking, "How can I make a great living, have more fun while working, and make a meaningful difference?" Organizations and leaders alike seek the secrets to a successful business and life. Szczurek's answers, developed through extensive research and by overcoming personal challenges, come from finding individuals' passions, aligning them with organizational purpose, and keeping the fire burning while persistently pursuing what you and your people want. It boils down to 'Passion x Purpose = Profits.' Based on a proven formula from the Amazon best-selling book, Pursuit of Passionate Purpose (Wiley), this high-content and entertaining session helps you and your organization produce extraordinary results. Learn practical pointers for growing your business, managing people, and living life with more passion, more purpose, more profit, and more success!

Turn Innovations into Real Income: Secrets to High Growth Business Success
The best innovation in the world is worthless if it sits on the buyer's shelf unused or, worse yet, if it sits unsold collecting dust. To produce income and grow your business, your innovations must be successfully introduced and implemented into the marketplace. Szczurek shares a practical technique which has the potential to transform your business and greatly increase profitability.

Champions of Technological Change: How Organizations Successfully Market Innovation
One of the biggest challenges facing organizations is how to successfully bring new products to market. The answer revolves around building champions of change. In this participative program based on original research published in Szczurek’s groundbreaking book, Champions of Technological Change, we explore how interactions between certain key people in the organization affect overall success of the innovation. These internal and external change agents help maximize user satisfaction, diffusion, and profitability. You'll learn a practical formula for improving your top and bottom line.

Becoming a Champion of Change
Change is constant. Businesses and their leaders struggle to successfully recognize the need for and manage change. The answer revolves around taking charge and becoming a champion of change. With audience interaction, learn a process you can use to make and sustain positive changes. Szczurek shares provocative techniques for change that have applications in our business and personal lives.