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SPEAK BY DESIGN UNIVERSITY 2026

Build the Most Transformative Year of Your Career.

Where top performers build the skills that move companies forward.

Starts January 1st

A 12-month leadership communication program for high-potentials.

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SPEAK BY DESIGN UNIVERSITY 2026

Build the Most Transformative Year of Your Career.

Where top performers build the skills that move companies forward.

Starts January 1st

A 12-month leadership communication program for high potentials.

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YOUR

2026

ADVANTAGE

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A full-year leadership communication program designed to build mastery, momentum, and measurable career growth.

Your transformation starts with mastering how you communicate.

Develop the presence, clarity, and influence that define top-tier leaders.

The year you become a consistently compelling force.

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What makes this experience truly transformational?

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Personalized Private Coaching - Develop critical leadership skills with your private coach; all tailored to your goals, your style, and your 2026 ambitions.

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Cohort Support and Accountability- Meet monthly with a curated peer group. You’ll push each other, grow together, and be guided by a Speak by Design coach who keeps you focused on the core skills for your level.

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A Communication Portfolio - Each month, you build a high-impact communication: your strategy message, your story set, your meeting styles. By year’s end, you have a complete communication system you can use for the rest of your career.

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The Speak by Design System - Access Stephanie’s full suite of re-recorded signature trainings: short, powerful, and designed for real-world application. No fluff. Just the communication tools senior leaders use every day.

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YOUR

2026

ADVANTAGE

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A full-year leadership communication program designed to build mastery, momentum, and measurable career growth.

Your transformation starts with mastering how you communicate.

Develop the presence, clarity, and influence that define top-tier leaders.

The year you become a consistently compelling force.

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What makes this experience truly transformational?

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Personalized Private Coaching - Develop critical leadership skills with your private coach; all tailored to your goals, your style, and your 2026 ambitions.

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Cohort Support and Accountability - Meet monthly with a curated peer group. You’ll push each other, grow together, and be guided by a Speak by Design coach who keeps you focused on the core skills for your level.

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2026 - You Tell Us Where You Want to Go.
We Build the Path.

Over twelve months, your private coach and cohort will guide your growth, sharpen your skills, and help you strengthen clarity and confidence.

Bring your goals. Bring your feedback. Bring your aspirations.
We’ll turn them into a plan that accelerates your rise.

Together, we’ll design your communication system that helps you achieve your next level of leadership.

2026 - You Tell Us Where You Want to Go.
We Build the Path.

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WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?

High-achievers committed to elevating everything in 2026. This isn’t a course. It’s a leadership communication operating system.

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Designed for:

Professionals preparing for bigger roles

Leaders managing complex teams
Directors and Executives strengthening influence
Talent identified for succession
Professionals preparing for visibility/high-stakes opportunities
Individuals accelerating after a plateau

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COHORTS ORGANIZED BY LEVEL

Emerging Leader - Director - Executive

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WHAT MAKES SBDU DIFFERENT

Built on 25 years of coaching executives, founders, and high-stakes leaders.

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A Tightly Tailored Plan - Built and taught by coaches who train C-suite and high-growth leaders.

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A Curated Network of Peers - A group that challenges your thinking and elevates your standards.

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Gold Standard Deliverables - Create communication assets you will use in real work and upcoming communications.

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Practical and Applicable - Immediate tools for high-stakes conversations, meetings, and written communication.

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Accessible and Efficient - The full Speak by Design system, on-demand, no fluff, designed for leaders with limited time.

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Choose the Cohort
That Matches Your Ambition

Monthly small-group sessions with peers at your level. Facilitated by a senior coach.
Insight-rich. Career changing.

ACCELERATOR

EMERGING LEADER

DIRECTOR / BUILDER

EXECUTIVE

Communicate with Confidence and Clarity

Build Trust and Lead with Presence

Influence Across and Expand Your Impact

Articulate Vision and Shape Culture

Build the core speaking skills that make you poised, clear, and memorable in every meeting.

Strengthen relationships, set clear expectations, and inspire followership through warm, consistent, and credible communication.

Communicate strategically to align stakeholders, advance initiatives, and elevate your visibility as a business builder.

Use communication to define direction, unite teams, and create the leadership language that moves your organization forward.

1. Confident Mindset
2. Visual Leadership
3. Vocal Presence
4. 5 Key Messages
5. Leadership Communication Roles
6. Handling Questions
7. Handling Objections
8. Influencing Skills
9. Virtual Delivery Skills

1. Trust
2. Assertive Communication
3. Storytelling
4. Thinking on Your Feet
5. Delegation
6. Delivering Feedback
7. Clear Expectations
8. Getting More Visible
9. Managing Up
10. Art of Gathering

1. Poise Under Pressure
2. Inspiring Followers
3. Commanding the Room
4. Business Impact Stories
5. Speak Truth to Power
6. Delivering Tough News
7. Campaign to Promotion
8. Expanding Your Circle
9. Stakeholder Mapping
10. Power Dynamics

1. Inspirational Leadership
2. Gravitas
3. Expanding Trust
4. Language of Leadership
5. Vision Setting
6. Mission - Vision - Values
7. Communication Strategy
8. Articulating a Strategy
9. Incentivizing Behavior
10. The 10-Minute Talk

ACCELERATOR

Communicate with Confidence and Clarity

Build the core speaking skills that make you poised, clear, and memorable in every meeting and presentation.

EMERGING LEADER

Build Trust and Lead with Presence

Strengthen relationships, set clear expectations, and inspire followership through warm, consistent, and credible communication.

1. Trust
2. Assertive Communication
3. Storytelling
4. Thinking on Your Feet
5. Delegation
6. Delivering Feedback
7. Clear Expectations
8. Getting More Visible
9. Managing Up
10. Art of Gathering

DIRECTOR BUILDER

Influence Across and Expand Your Impact

Communicate strategically to align stakeholders, advance initiatives, and elevate your visibility as a business builder.

EXECUTIVE

Articulate Vision and Shape Culture

Use communication to define direction, unite teams, and create the language and leadership presence that moves your organization forward.

Your 12-Month Leadership Communication Portfolio

Each month, you will build one executive communication deliverable: an asset you can immediately apply at work and add to your portfolio.

These pieces become the foundation of your presence, influence, and leadership story.
In December, you’ll compile everything into a polished, executive-ready portfolio.

Your 12-Month Leadership Communication Portfolio

JAN

New Year, New YOU: Define Your Leadership Excellence

FEB

Fundamentals: Strengthen Your Executive Presence

MAR

Messaging: Craft Your Go-To 5-Story Set

APR

Applications: Design Your High-Stakes Communication Deck

MAY

Mastery: Make the Case to Leadership with Clarity and Confidence

JUN

Mid-Year Milestones: Measure and Analyze Your Communication Impact

JUL

Journey: Build Your Repeatable Virtual Presentation System

AUG

Achievements: Build Your Wins & Impact Story Bank

SEP

Skills: Strengthen Communication for Project Leadership

OCT

Operations: Create Your Difficult Conversations Toolkit

NOV

Networks: Develop Your Influence Expansion Plan

DEC

Deltas: Compile Your Executive Communication Portfolio

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Month by Month, You'll Build the Behaviors of Senior Leaders

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1. Respond with poise under pressure

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2. Navigate executive and board-level conversations with ease

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3. Shape messages that move decisions

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4. Inspire teams with clarity and purpose

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5. Build the credibility of a trusted executive

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You’ll grow inside a cohort of ambitious people who are elevating their communication, accelerating their careers, and stepping boldly into their next level of leadership.

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"The combination of group learning, powerful frameworks, and personalized 1:1 coaching transformed the way I prepare for live presentations and webinars."
- Vishal, SVP

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The podcast gives you the ideas.
The University gives you the coaching and accountability to turn them into habits.

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Deep practice applying the 50 lessons to your real meetings and presentations

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Personalized coaching to correct habits and strengthen your delivery

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A group cohort of leaders practicing the same frameworks

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Monthly portfolio challenges that put the theory of the podcast into practice

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A year-long system that transforms how you communicate every day and helps you lead by example

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Join the program built for listeners who are ready to move from knowing to doing.

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Real Stories. Real Change.

"When I started with Speak by Design, one of my goals was to have an impact on our industry by becoming more active in our industry association (Insights Association). After a couple of months of leaning in on my effort, while utilizing your communication approaches, I am pleased to say that I will be moving into the President-Elect position. I want to thank you, Kat and the Speak by Design team for giving me the tools to make something like this happen. I’m grateful for how you have impacted my career and look forward to future opportunities these methods will afford me."

Rich Ratcliff, Chief Trust Officer

"Speak by Design has an exceptionally talented team that truly stands out in the realm of speaking and coaching. Their strategic approach to crafting and delivering content is not only innovative but highly effective, ensuring that every session is actionable and memorable. I have benefitted from their support both personally and professionally. They should be the top choice for anyone looking to elevate their leadership capabilities."

Sharon McIntosh, CPC, President, And Then Communications & Coaching

"Speak by Design was beyond great. My coaches were able to identify my main areas for improvement and guide me towards the development I needed."

Vitor, Engagement Manager at Global Management Strategy Firm

"Thank you, Speak by Design. Your coaches guided me through my transition and helped me develop my leadership communication skills. This helped me get promoted to a new position. I am starting the new role and your program was one of the keys to my success."

Manmeet, VP of Finance at Healthcare Company

"I have worked with multiple coaches in the University. The variety of approaches and tools have helped shape my leadership style. Thank you very much for all the help over the years."

Reginald Sanders, CFA, CAIA, Managing Director, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Speak by Design University different from other communication programs?

This is not a course; it’s a 12-month leadership communication operating system. You get private coaching, cohort practice, monthly deliverables, and the same frameworks we teach to executives, founders, and board-facing leaders. You don’t learn communication “concepts.” You practice leadership behaviors every month until they become habits.

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What measurable improvements can I expect over 12 months?

You’ll build an executive communication portfolio with one high-impact deliverable each month: messaging, storytelling, communication strategies, leadership narratives, and more.

These improvements are visible to managers, peers, and cross-functional leaders. For people in sales, they see an increase in new business. For people in internal roles, they experience expanding opportunities and more career satisfaction.

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How much time should I expect to spend each week?

Most participants spend 1 hour per week, which may include:

One private coaching session
One cohort session
Watching a signature training in the vault, or
A monthly challenge or portfolio deliverable

It’s designed for busy leaders who want maximum impact with minimal disruption.

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How personalized is the private coaching? Will it fit my role?

Yes. Your coach tailors everything to your role and goals. We will present a survey as soon as you register to help us build your plan.

You’ll work directly on real presentations, real meetings, real obstacles, and real visibility opportunities in your actual job.

Can my employer sponsor the program?

Yes, most of our members use professional development funds. Email team@speakbydesign.com if you need a separate invoice or a sponsor-friendly overview PDF.

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Who are the coaches, and what experience do they have?

All Speak by Design coaches are trained in our proprietary leadership communication system and have experience coaching executives, directors, and managers at fast-growing firms. Your coach has a deep understanding of how senior leaders evaluate communication because they’ve prepared leaders for board meetings, investor days, town halls, and executive transitions.

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Is the content tailored to my career level or industry?

Yes, our communication frameworks are universal, but your coach helps tailor them to your specific role, industry, and level of responsibility.

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How does private coaching work?

You can schedule up to two, 45-minute private coaching sessions per month with a leadership coach of your choice.

Sessions are personalized, structured, and focused on your real-world scenarios: presentations, interviews, difficult conversations, team meetings, or message development.

ONE TIME FEE

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The 2026
Leadership Communication
Program
$4970

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Personalized Private Coaching Plan
Schedule up to 2, 45-min meetings per month

Monthly Cohort Support
Meet once a month with your peers

Guided Portfolio Creation
Compile executive-ready communication assets

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JOIN NOW

EARLY SIGN-UP BONUSES
(DECEMBER ENROLLMENT ONLY)

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One-on-One 30-Minute Onboarding Coaching Call

($350 value)

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Tools + Transformation Guide

($50 value)

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Full Vault Access to Signature Trainings

($8340 value)

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TERMS l PRIVACY POLICY | Team@speakbydesign.com

SPEAK BY DESIGN UNIVERSITY 2026

Build the Most Transformative Year of Your Career.

Where top performers build the skills that move companies forward.​​​​​​​

A 12-month leadership communication program for high-potentials.

SPEAK BY DESIGN UNIVERSITY 2026

Build the Most Transformative Year of Your Career.

Where top performers build the skills that move companies forward.​​​​​​​

A 12-month leadership communication program for high potentials.​​​​​​​

2026 - You Tell Us Where You Want to Go.​​​​​​​We Build the Path.

2026 - You Tell Us Where You Want to Go.​​​​​​​We Build the Path.

Choose the CohortThat Matches Your Ambition

Your 12-Month Leadership Communication Portfolio

Your 12-Month Leadership Communication Portfolio

Month by Month, You'll Build the Behaviors of Senior Leaders​​​​​​​

Want help securing company support?

Real Stories. Real Change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Speak by Design University different from other communication programs?​​​​​​​

What measurable improvements can I expect over 12 months?

How much time should I expect to spend each week?

How personalized is the private coaching? Will it fit my role?​​​​​​​

Can my employer sponsor the program?

Who are the coaches, and what experience do they have?​​​​​​​

Is the content tailored to my career level or industry?

How does private coaching work?

ONE TIME FEE

EARLY SIGN-UP BONUSES​​​​​​​(DECEMBER ENROLLMENT ONLY)

Where top performers build the skills that move companies forward.

Where top performers build the skills that move companies forward.

A 12-month leadership communication program for high potentials.

2026 - You Tell Us Where You Want to Go.
We Build the Path.

2026 - You Tell Us Where You Want to Go.
We Build the Path.

Choose the Cohort
That Matches Your Ambition

Month by Month, You'll Build the Behaviors of Senior Leaders

How is Speak by Design University different from other communication programs?

How personalized is the private coaching? Will it fit my role?

Who are the coaches, and what experience do they have?

EARLY SIGN-UP BONUSES
(DECEMBER ENROLLMENT ONLY)