The Speaking Circles International Team
 Lee
founded Speaking Circles® in 1989. A lifetime of stage fright
motivated him to develop a simple, elegant approach to break through
the widespread fear of public speaking and of expressing oneself fully in the world. This
discovery led him to a profound understanding of the principles
of natural communication through Relational Presence. He is responsible
for the continual evolution of this work which is at the heart of
all programs offered by Speaking Circles International.
For the past sixteen years, Lee has been a keynote speaker, consultant,
seminar leader, communications coach and Speaking Circle Facilitator.
As a member of the National Speakers Association, he has presented
his unique programs at annual conventions, regional workshops, and
at more than 30 local chapters.
Lee is author of Be Heard Now! Tap Into Your Inner Speaker and
Communicate with Ease, (Broadway Books) and Be Heard Now! How
to Speak Naturally and Powerfully in Front of Any Audience (Sounds
True Audiotapes).
Lee began his career as a social worker in New York City. In 1974,
he moved to California to "follow his bliss." He performed
stand-up comedy in San Francisco before becoming an innovator in the
field of "humor as healing," eventually serving as Director
of the Humor in Medicine Program at the California Pacific Medical
Center. In 1996, Lee was awarded the Athena Award for Excellence in
Coaching and Mentoring.
More about Lee...
Doreen Hamilton PhD, Training Director
 Doreen
is a Clinical Psychologist with over twenty years in private practice.
As Training Director of Speaking Circles International since 1997,
she oversees the design, development, and delivery of the public
classes and Facilitator training programs.
Doreen worked for many years helping people face their fears, and
yet it was still hard for her to admit that she had terrible anxiety
when speaking in public. Speaking Circles gave her an opportunity
to finally face and transform that fear, and to find strength, comfort
and even fun speaking with groups.
Between earning her degree in Sociology and a Ph.D. in Psychology
from University of California Berkeley, Doreen's journey took her
to Malaysia as a Peace Corps volunteer. She saw that at the core of
social problems were communication and relationship issues. Doreen's
calling is to facilitate personal and professional transformation
and to help people recover their vibrant inner spirit.
Koos Wolcken, Training Director Europe
 Koos oversees all European training programs for Speaking Circles
International. He is responsible for daily operations
and Facilitator continuing education in Europe.
Koos discovered Speaking Circles through a workshop by Barbara
Whitney and was immediately touched by the power of its ease and simplicity.
He teamed up with Walter Berghoef to coproduce Speaking Circle
trainings in the Netherlands. Besides his work with Speaking
Circles International, Koos is a Trainer and Life & Career Coach,
combining Speaking Circles and Neurolinguistic Programming
(NLP) with elements of assertiveness and classical communication training.
Koos has a degree in Human Geography and Education. His career has
included work at the University in Utrecht, the Netherlands, as well
as in private business, always with an emphasis on practical communications
and education projects. In the last decade, he has specialized in
effective human communications and applied psychology. Koos's goal,
his gift, and his passion are to create learning environments in which
people are free to discover what true communication really is, so
that they can be seen and heard fully for who they truly are.
Jennet Burghard, Trainer
 Jennet
Burghard coleads Speaking Circles International programs in Europe.
In particular, she specializes in Facilitator Training and its prerequisites.
At her first Speaking Circle (in 1999) she discovered the
value of being in relationship with the audience in the moment. Lee’s
statement "stop performing and start connecting" touched
her -- that it doesn't have to take years to discover the power of
being oneself, because Speaking Circles gives an immediate
experience. Since being Certified in 2001, she has worked with Koos
Wolcken to apply the principles of Speaking Circles to professional
development programs for individuals and teams, including communication
and leadership training.
Jennet has a masters degree in Public Administration, and is a Master
Practitioner NLP and Certified Destination Coach. Her business experience
includes seven years as a program manager and business consultant
supporting change in public and private organizations. She has been
working as a dedicated coach and trainer since 1998, and it’s
her passion to help people deal effectively with deep and lasting
change so they can reach their desired destination.
Susan Sullivan, Operations Manager
 As
Operations Manager for Speaking Circles International, Susan Sullivan
is responsible for daily office operations, customer and media relations
as well as coordinating Lee's speaking engagements.
Susan brings over twenty years experience in the public and private
sectors specializing in public relations and support staff management.
She served as elected City Clerk, liaison for the City Council, and
as the Community Relations Manager for Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
Susan also founded a virtual assistance business to partner with busy
entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the world, and is a graduate
of Heald Business College and Assist University.
The Speaking Circles International Advisory Team
Audrey Seymour MA PCC CPCC
 Audrey Seymour was
Vice President of Speaking Circles International from 2003 to 2008 and currently serves on the SCI Team of Advisors.
Audrey felt an immediate resonance with the Speaking Circles
approach, and became a Certified Facilitator in 2002. Her personal
mission is to bring out the best in individuals and organizations
by helping them translate their deepest values into strategy and results.
Her varied background ranges from over twenty years as a software
development manager and lead engineer, to five years with a Rolfing
and CranioSacral Therapy practice. She received degrees in Mathematics
with a minor in Physics from California Institute of Technology and
U.C. Berkeley, as well as a black belt in Shotokan Karate and 18 years
of study in the Diamond Approach.
Audrey is Certified by the Coaches Training Institute and is credentialed by the International Coach Federation.
She is the owner of Visions Into Form® Business Coaching and helps entrepreneurs who have a mission open a clear pathway to make their vision real.
John Dawson
 John has been our hub for Speaking Circles in the UK since 2000, when he became a Certified Speaking Circle Facilitator. His passion is to help people find their voice and to help them live life to the full. John feels that "Speaking Circles help us to take our place in life so we can really shine".
His work around positive change started 30 years ago when personal tragedy inspired him on the journey to find ways of transforming sorrow into positive energy. In 1993 he founded and edited The Spark Magazine, the UK's biggest free alternative magazine, which continues to thrive under new editorship. John is "very keen to look for ways of deepening my understanding of the work and exploring where we can take Speaking Circles in the future."
John holds a Diploma in Group Facilitation, an Honours degree and a bus conductors certificate! He is currently training to be a personal coach with the Coaches Training Institute.
Sahara Chaldean
 Sahara has been devoted to Speaking Circles and the practice of Relational Presence since 2004. Her whole life has been transformed as a result of fully embracing this practice, and she continues to be inspired and motivated by the potential of creating new programs that will promote the practice of Relational Presence in all areas of life.
Sahara has successfully facilitated programs applying Speaking Circle principles with people deepening their relationship with the natural world; with students, faculty and staff who want to develop new leadership models at a local college; with university students studying non-violent communication; with groups of seasoned therapists who want to cultivate sustainable presence with clients; with seniors in an assisted living communities who want to be more engaging; and with people who are on their death beds and need a final listening field.
Along with being a Certified Speaking Circle Facilitator since 2005, Sahara has degrees in Environmental Studies and Humanities. She has won awards for teaching excellence in elementary schools. For many years she has been a Coordinator of a Student Center at a local college. She also has extensive training in being a Wilderness Guide. Currently, she is studying videography.
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