Menu
Public Speaking for Professionals:
Executive Presentation Skills
IN-PERSON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA CAMPUS
April 22, 2026
Discounts available for group enrollments, UA faculty/staff, UA Alumni, and Chamber members. Reach out to stephanie.lowe@ua.edu for more information.
Elevate your influence and leave a lasting impression with every speaking opportunity
Whether delivering a project update, leading a meeting, or presenting to key-stakeholders, any opportunity to speak is an opportunity to influence and impact others.
Join us for this fast-paced and interactive course where you will learn to construct and deliver messages tailored to your speaking occasion’s purpose and your audience’s motivations and interests. You will gain confidence as we explore aspects of delivery and executive presence, including the use of body language, voice, and visual aids. Each participant will receive individualized feedback from our expert instructors aimed at helping them to emerge a more self-assured speaker!
topics
- Owning the Space
- Defining Your Purpose
- Audience Analysis
- Organizing an Informative Brief or Persuasive Pitch
- Powerful Introductions and Conclusions
- Develop an outline for an upcoming presentation
- Nonverbal Communication
- How to deliver and receive feedback
Program OVERVIEW
Designed for:
- Professionals seeking to craft and deliver messages with confidence
- Those seeking to strengthen their ability to gain influence and create buy-in
- Professionals who deliver project updates or presentations in the workplace or to external audiences
- Professionals seeking to rise to higher levels of leadership and impact
- Or anyone who wants to enhance their public speaking skills in a business setting
Participants will learn:
- How to analyze opportunities of impact
- Strategies for crafting an informative brief and persuasive pitch
- Elements of executive presence displayed through body language, and voice
- Tactics for delivering face-to-face or virtual presentations
- How to receive and deliver constructive feedback
- Tips for managing public speaking anxiety
- Earn 6.2 hours of CPE in the field of study ‘Other/Communications’ for CPAs
Format:
The program will be hosted on campus at The University of Alabama in the Culverhouse College of Business.
- Plan to be on campus from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Exact times will be sent with a finalized schedule).
- Light breakfast, lunch, snacks and coffee will be provided
Participants will receive a physical certificate of completion as well as a digital badge from Credly. The digital badge can be displayed on a participant’s LinkedIn and email signature.
This program is not eligible for federal financial aid. No academic credit will be awarded.
The executive presence and public speaking course was transformative. It provided practical techniques to command a room, engage audiences, and convey complex ideas with confidence and clarity. The hands-on coaching and feedback were invaluable, leading to immediate improvements in both my presentation skills and overall executive presence. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to elevate their communication and leadership abilities.
In public speaking, perfection is probably one of the biggest myths; however, authenticity is where the magic truly lies. This program reminded me that the real flex isn’t in sounding rehearsed or robotic. It’s in showing up as your full, powerful, imperfect self and letting your truth be heard.
As an Administrative Assistant II for the Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design, student supervisor, and life coach, I’ve been in many rooms, but this one was different. The energy, the support, the way each participant was poured into. Unmatched! The instructors didn’t just teach us how to speak, they pulled the confidence out of us that was already there, waiting to be unlocked.
I walked in with butterflies and walked out with boldness. From real-time feedback to dynamic techniques that actually work, this experience leveled me up both personally and professionally. It’s not just about learning how to speak; it’s about learning how to own your voice, your story, and your stage. I’m thrilled with the results of this class!
The Executive Presentation Skills program was highly effective in enhancing our presentation skills tailored to any audience. The structure of the program was clear, focused and well-paced, providing a good balance of learning and participating. Dr. Chilcutt and Dr. Brooks were very knowledgeable, engaging and provided practical insights into executive presenting. I would highly recommend this class to anyone that is interested. It is well worth your time.
This program was a game-changer. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and reshaped how I present. I gained skills that apply not only to my current job but any future role. The interactive format, safe space for questions and personalized feedback set it apart.
You’ll learn how to craft impactful messages, master body language and gain confidence in public speaking. Whether presenting to key stakeholders or leading a meeting, the skills taught here will elevate your presence and influence. Overall, I highly recommend this course for any professional who wants to enhance their public speaking skills. The hands-on approach, expert guidance, and welcoming environment made this one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had.
As a communications leader, what I say and how I say it has real impacts. And when it comes to in-person communications, in front of an audience, I knew that there were some ways I could improve my poise, articulation, and projected confidence. The Executive Presence session with Drs. Brooks and Chilcutt provided a positive environment to address those factors, giving me tools that I could draw upon to be a better public speaker who speaks clearly, with purpose and a plan.
Dr. Brooks is amazing and really gave effective feedback. I love the enthusiasm and I love how he built my confidence in being able to speak in front of a crowd. I cannot say enough of how thought-out the course was. I was able to leave with the basics of building a speech.
This professional development course was incredibly valuable. It was very informative and engaging which has also equipped me with new tools and strategies to enhance my skills. I would like to say thank you to Dr. Adam Brooks and Dr. Alexa S. Chilcutt for doing an amazing job!!
This class was incredibly enlightening and informative. I left with several actionable takeaways and valuable feedback that I can continue to apply. Dr. Chilcutt and Dr. Brooks were outstanding presenters, demonstrating their deep passion and expertise in their fields. The Culverhouse Exec Ed program exemplifies top-tier education, truly worthy of the Alabama brand.
I can honestly say this program was one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had for improving my communication skills. The session was packed with practical advice, from crafting strong introductions to managing public speaking anxiety. The best part? The interactive nature of the session, where we got to practice and receive feedback. I left feeling so much more confident about delivering presentations, whether in-person or virtually. I’d highly recommend this session to anyone looking to step up their public speaking game!
Public speaking is such a daunting task for many and I went into this class with a great deal of nerves not knowing what to expect. I was blown away by Dr. Brooks and Dr. Chilcutt’s methods of tackling this important but intimidating task. The class acknowledged and provided ways to overcoming all of the challenges that public speaking presents. It drew back the curtain on where true effectiveness lies in conveying messages to others while putting to rest myths that good public speakers are “naturals." They provided fantastic tools for each individual in attendance with in the moment constructive feedback. For me it went beyond public speaking and had practical applications for how we communicate in general with others whether it be a crowd of 400 or one. Highly recommend this class for anyone and everyone.
I used to be terrified of public speaking, to the point where just the thought of standing in front of a group made me anxious. The session with Dr. Brooks and Dr. Chilcutt completely changed that for me. They created a supportive environment that encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. For the first time, I felt my confidence grow as I spoke, and I realized I was capable of so much more than I thought. Now, instead of fearing those moments, I see them as opportunities to grow and share my voice.
Taking the Public Speaking for Professionals course has significantly changed how I approach presenting. It helped me step outside my comfort zone, quiet the self-doubt, and find my voice. The structure, the speakers, and the hands-on approach made it an experience I’ll carry with me into every future presentation and speaking engagement.
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Chillcutt and Dr. Brooks Master of Public Speaking. I gained confidence and see public speaking with a new perspective to influence others. Stephanie made sure the class was well taken care of. I highly recommend executive presentation skills for anyone who’s looking to grow professionally and personally.
At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to strengthen my presentation skills. I would highly recommend this class to anyone pursuing professional development, as the lessons learned from this class can be applied in every aspect of your career. Not only does Dr. Brooks and Dr. Chilcutt outline each lesson in an engaging format that is easy to learn, but they also provide hands-on instruction to each attendee that gives you insightful and tailored feedback on what you can do to improve. Whether you’re presenting, writing, or in a meeting; they equip you with the fundamental tools to be an effective communicator and take your presentation skills to the next level.
Previous
Next
INSTRUCTORs
With an MA in Public Relations and PhD in Communication and Information Sciences, Dr. Alexa Chilcutt is the faculty lead for the Executive Business Communication and co-lead for the Academy of Women in Leadership programs at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.
Additionally, Alexa provides training for TCU Neeley Business School’s Executive Education program and The University of Alabama Executive Education and EMBA programs. Topics include business communication, executive presence, and executive presentation skills.
Corporate clients have included Exelon Corporation, Constellation Energy, Hoya Corporation, Prometric, Brinker International, Allstate, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, German-based company igus, and Johns Hopkins International Medicine Concierge Services.
Publications include “Engineered to Speak: Helping You Create and Deliver Engaging Technical Presentations” published by Wiley IEEE PCS Professional Engineering Communication Series with Dr. Adam Brooks, and articles featured in Workplace Health & Safety, MedEdPORTAL, Journal of American Dental Association (JADA), Association of General Dentist’s “Impact” magazine, Public Relations Journal, and Georgia Academy of General Dentistry’s Explorer magazine.
Looking for more program options?
WE CAN CUSTOMIZE PROGRAMS FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION.
Virtual
On-site
Hybrid
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.