What Makes Groups Work: The ManifestoFundraising. Board presentations. Company resets. Keynotes.
I prepare leaders for high-stakes communication. Fundraising pitches, board presentations, company resets, keynotes. We work on the story, the structure, and the delivery until the message is ready.
60–90 minutes focused on one upcoming moment.
Multiple sessions over 30 days. Story, materials, rehearsal.
Selective. For leaders who keep having moments that matter.
I wrote Can I Have Your Attention? after twenty years researching how humans process information. I also have ADHD, which is either disqualifying or the whole point depending on how you look at it.
I’ve given 500+ keynotes for SAP, Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase, the U.S. Naval Academy, and a lot of other rooms where the message had to work.
Then I left the stage. I spent three years as Head of People at Venus Aerospace, where we raised millions during the worst venture capital market in a decade and achieved the first flight of a rotating detonation rocket engine. I built the fundraising pitch. I sat across from investors who had every reason to say no. The engineering was world-class. The thing that nearly broke the company was human.
“Thank you for the instruction you provided me during our two day crash course. I felt like I not only got a lot better presenting the material, but really learned the techniques of building a great speech … Thanks again for helping me in an area I lack confidence. Safe travel and gig ’em.”
— Texas A&M Football Coaching Staff
“Curt has been a valued partner for me. I can’t recommend him enough for anyone who seeks to hone their message and present it effectively.”
— Darren Woodson, 3x Super Bowl Champion, 5x Pro Bowl NFL Safety; ESPN Analyst; Partner at ESRP Real Estate
“From the discovery of your message to the shaping of your speech to your delivery on stage, if you’re looking for expert guidance from veterans of the craft—you can do no better.”
— Gabe Cooper, Founder and CEO, Virtuous Software
“As a result of your coaching, it was our best session to date (and in my career). I got feedback that it was my personal best public speaking too.”
— William Billiter, Co-Founder and CEO, Acertus
“You are incredible! The feedback was amazing. So helpful! You are a gift.”
— Heather Reynolds, President and CEO, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth
If you have a moment coming and what you say has to land, let’s talk.
curt@curtsteinhorst.com | 214.476.9946