Strengthen your power and presence as a public speaker through embodied strategic practices rooted in neuroscience and clinical psychology This workshop is open to everyone, and centers BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and survivor communities. Do you feel anxious before presenting — and wish you could speak with more clarity and confidence? Strengthen your power and presence as a public speaker through embodied strategic practices rooted in neuroscience, clinical psychology and art therapy. Whether you’re preparing for an investor pitch, a high-stakes client meeting, or a job interview, the way you speak shapes how you’re perceived and what gets heard. Public speaking isn’t just about what you say — it’s about how you prepare your mind, body, and nervous system to show up with presence and power. In this interactive and experiential workshop, Melissa Andrada (mel—they/them)—a survivor of big T trauma and CEO of Fairground, a global mental health collective—alongside facilitator Sol Garcia Jones, will guide you through trauma-informed embodied practices and creative strategies grounded in neuroscience and clinical psychology. You’ll learn how to access your authentic leadership voice, regulate performance anxiety, and speak with greater ease and impact. Drawing from clinical psychology and leadership development, this session invites you to reclaim your voice — not just as a communication tool, but as a reflection of your power, presence, and purpose. You’ll leave with: Practical tools to manage anxiety and nervous system before and during speaking Somatic strategies to ground yourself with confidence before high-stakes presentations Creative ways to authentically and joyfully connect with the audience in your delivery through mind, body and spirit Supportive space to practice your public speaking skills through invitational prompts Testimonials "Mel and Bree dazzled at the Out in Tech Leadership Institute in NYC, bringing their special brand of expertise, socio-emotional depth, and practical tips for powerful public speaking. Mel even gave me a personal consultation before my remarks that evening, boosting my confidence to be vulnerable in front of a key audience." Andrew Lowenthal Executive Director, Out in Tech "From the beginning of the workshop, it was clear that I'd come to the right place. "You set a warm and welcoming atmosphere by doing a few things: setting expectations that the group would be welcoming supportive and affirming (somehow you did this without being preachy or super rules based), you spoke in a controlled yet warm gently paced manner; you shared your own journey including your challenges with public speaking going from being a painfully shy young student to holding court in front of hundreds of corporate employees and also a big part of your "why," your beloved father's memory. All of this established trust and credibility. The exercises that you showed us, being in touch with our bodies and understanding the connection with our nervous systems and our voices were rich. Above all it instilled confidence that I can apply these tools and put them to work to fuel my journey. I came away incredibly inspired and uplifted. It was truly an impactful, rewarding, dynamic interactive learning experience. I wish I could take it over again!" Thomas Bell Former VP, Associate General Counsel, Global Payments You can read our Thought Leadership on Stepping Into Your Power As A Public Speaker Our Methodology Case Studies 1000+ Keynotes & Workshops 100,000+ People Field & Desk Research 100+ community surveys 50+ peer reviewed sources 10+ expert interviews Mel is the CEO & Cofounder of Fairground, a mental health & wellness collective of therapists and coaches, supporting organizations and ead with joy and confidence. As a teenager, Mel co-ran a nonprofit called the Seattle Young People’s Project, helping manage a $100K+ operating budget and inspiring young people to take civic action in their communities. She went on to become the Chief Operating Officer of Learnerbly, a VC-backed workplace startup in London, where she helped raise $1.8 million of funding in their first year, retained 100% of flagship clients and grew a team with 40% people of color and 40% women. As a queer Filipine American born in Nigeria, Mel has delivered hundreds of interactive motivational keynotes and workshops that empower high-potential leaders, from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent communities, at organizations such as The New York Times, Google and Out in Tech. Outside of work, Mel can be found teaching yoga and sound healing, surfing mellow waves and writing a book on trauma, grief and resilience. They are completing a Masters in Clinical Psychology & Expressive Arts Therapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies, and hold a Masters in Cultural Studies from the University Edinburgh. — Sol Garcia Jones (they/ them) is a passionate and grounded facilitator with a specialty in creating learning spaces around identity, inter-and intrapersonal healing, and social justice. Sol has spent 10 years working in various educational settings – both in direct service with students and in supporting education administration teams. Their most recent role was as the National Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the Surge Institute, a leadership development accelerator for BIPOC education leaders. Prior to work at Surge, they led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and employee sustainability efforts at KIPP Northern California Schools. They think of themself as a lifelong learner, with their Masters research focused on how Black and brown sci-fi and fantasy literature offers radical lessons for justice and movement work. They recently completed the Changemaker Author fellowship wherein they got to develop their fantasy novel inspired by Indigenous California. Outside of work and writing, you can find them enjoying snuggles with their cats, reading fantasy and sci fi books, playing board games anand enjoying time in nature with friends and loved ones.