Meridith G.

Founder, Organizer and Facilitator at Grundei Coaching

Technology

Education: Colorado State University - Naropa University, MFA
New York, NY, USA

Biography

Meet Meridith Grundei, MFA recognized as one of the top 10 public speaking coaches of 2022 by Yahoo Biz. With an impressive TikTok following of 100K+, she's become the go-to authority on public speaking.

Meridith is an expert speaker, having delivered impactful and informative speeches globally for prominent names like Amazon AWS, Panasonic, and Merck/MSD. Her background as a former teacher at The Second City and her experience as a performer and theatre director make her a true expert in making a lasting impression.

As the driving force behind Grundei Coaching, Meridith is reshaping the landscape of public speaking. She incorporates improv theatre techniques to foster trust, empathy, and creative thinking. Whether you're a conscious entrepreneur or a rising tech leader, she has the knack for simplifying complexity and leaving a memorable impact.

Beyond her coaching role, Meridith serves as a Yoodli Advisor, a certified Virtual Presenter, a channel partner, and a producer for SPEAK Events. She is also the mom of a feisty and hilarious 12-year-old!

Passion

I am passionate about collaborating with creative people. Together, we aim to make the world a better place through the power of storytelling. I am passionate about transforming the voices of technical visionaries to help them present with spark and confidence so they can better engage with their stakeholders, customers and colleagues. I love finding solutions, no matter how small or big, to any problem. Traveling is another passion of mine; it challenges my perceptions of reality and aids in my personal growth and understanding. Lastly, I'm all about eating incredible food with incredible people, all while having an incredible libation in hand.

Featured Video

I am willing to travel

More than 100 miles

When it comes to payments

I sometimes get paid for speaking

Topics

improvisation for speakers improvisation public speaking innovation creativity confidence humor in presentations technology women in tech women in technology team leadership communication skills passion authenticity authenticity leadership interactive theater immersive storytelling spark presentation skills technical presentation skills storytelling medical pharmaceutical pharma corporate presentations keynote speaker virtual speaker corporate development big data sxsw 2024 panelpicker science startup

Best Story

Among the many stories I could share, a standout is how my husband and I decided to travel the U.S. and Mexico for a year in a 40-foot RV. We had our six-year-old daughter, a dog, and a cat along for the ride. I would teach improv workshops from city-to-city and my husband would teach songwriting out of the RV remotely. This adventure was not only humbling because of the experiences we had and the people we met, but it also inspired us to leave our home in Lafayette, CO, and move to New York City where our family could immerse ourselves in the diversity and culture that NYC so beautifully provides. I can't wait to tell you more.

Origin Story

When I was younger, I was the quiet kid who sat in the back row, afraid to speak my mind in fear of sounding foolish or not having the answer. Everything changed when I stumbled into theatre and improv. It was because I had a script and a character to hide behind where I slowly started to build my confidence and use my voice. Later in life I studied improvisational comedy. And because there wasn't a script, I was forced to share my point of view and this is when I really started to bloom.

Fast forward to today, I draw from those transformative experiences to help others find their voice. I've been at it for over a decade, and it's been rewarding to see people grow and succeed. Clients range from small business owners to tech giants and pharmaceutical companies, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Example talks

Speak with spark: Humanizing tech talks (20-90 min. Keynote online and in person)

In a saturated market, how do you make your products, services and new technologies stand out? Meridith Grundei's "Speak with Spark: Humanizing Tech Talks" is your answer. Merging public speaking skills with off-the-cuff creativity, Meridith guides you in transforming complex tech jargon into engaging stories.

Why Tech Leaders Should Listen Up: In an ever-evolving industry, the ability to communicate clearly and passionately is your hidden asset. This talk, adaptable from 20 to 90 minutes, is a must for tech leaders and CEOs who aim to lead with authenticity and make a lasting impression.

Key Takeaways:
1. Cut the Complexity: Learn how to simplify intricate tech topics into digestible ideas that are both accessible and actionable.
2. Captivate to Lead: Acquire techniques to keep your audience's attention, thereby increasing your influence as a leader.
3. Be Real, Be Trusted: Uncover the significance of authentic communication in building trust and initiating change.
4. Fuel it with Fire: Recognize why your enthusiasm is essential for inspiring innovation and effective leadership.
5. Quick Wins: Leave with practical tips that you can apply immediately, turning your next talk into a memorable leadership moment.

*Most recently did this talk for Amazon's first annual SpeakerCon, July 2023.

Improv for Speakers, Confidently Speaking (Workshop online and in person)

In a world where public speaking skills can make or break your career, how do you stand out? Whether it's stage fright, dull presentations, the desire to outperform your colleagues, struggling to land podcast invitations, feeling uneasy on camera, or awkwardness at networking events, Confidently Speaking is designed to tackle these issues head-on.

Why This Workshop is a Game Changer:
1. Transform Your Mindset: Say goodbye to stage fright and limiting beliefs. This workshop uses improv techniques to help you think on your feet and adapt to the unexpected.
2. Boost Your Confidence: Learn how to use your voice and body language to command attention and own the stage.
3. Educate & Inspire: Discover how to craft compelling narratives that not only inform but also engage and inspire your audience.

Who Needs This?
- Got stage fright? We got you.
- Freeze up during talks? Learn how to bounce back like a pro.
- Want to outperform your colleagues? This is your secret weapon.

Business Impact:
- Client Retention: Engaging talks mean happy clients, reducing churn rates.
- Investor Relations: A compelling pitch can be the difference between a "yes" and a "no."
- Team Morale: Effective communication boosts team cohesion, increasing productivity.
- Personal Branding: Become the speaker everyone wants to hear, opening doors to new opportunities.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a CEO, or someone who just wants to communicate more effectively, Confidently Speaking is your ticket to becoming a more impactful speaker. Join us and transform your public speaking game forever.

I have been facilitating this group every Wednesday since July 7th, 2021. Facilitation recordings are shared upon request. The program: https://members.confidentlyspeaking.fun

Speak Like a Pro: Your Blueprint for Presentation Preparation (workshop and Keynote: in person and virtual)

In fields like science, medicine, and technology, the ability to convey complex information clearly is crucial. A poorly executed presentation can lead to misunderstandings, lost opportunities, and a hit to your professional reputation. "Speak Like a Pro" provides you with the skills to take any deck you're given and make it your own, ensuring your complex, data-heavy presentations are both engaging and easily understood. Whether you're presenting in-person or virtually, this workshop and keynote will level up your presentation skills, making sure your message resonates and that your audience is clearly informed.

Preparing and delivering complicated data and slides can be challenging. This workshop will teach you best practices for preparing and delivering complicated technology and science-based slides, simply and with spark.

Key Takeaways:
1. Strategic Structuring: Master the art of organizing complex data into a coherent, engaging narrative.
2. Making It Your Own: Learn how to personalize a pre-designed deck to better align with your speaking style and message.
3. Dynamic Delivery: Techniques to bring energy and clarity to your presentation, even when the subject matter is complex.
4. Audience Engagement: Strategies for reading your audience and adapting in real-time for maximum impact.
5. Virtual vs. In-Person: Best practices for tailoring your presentation to different formats.

*This keynote and workshop was most recently delivered in: Rome, Italy; São Paulo, Brazil; Chicago, IL; Dallas, Texas; New Jersey City, NJ; and Vienna, Austria. (Clients were: Merck, Idorsia, Pfizer, and others.)

Embrace Your Voice for International Women's Day, March 2023: Panasonic (Virtual)

Embrace your superpowers and overcome barriers that prevent you from being a more confident speaker.
https://youtu.be/qHMbe68dCRE?feature=shared

Your Cyber Path Podcast - September 2023 (49:43)

In this episode, our awesome host Jason Dion is back again with another episode of the Your Cyber Path podcast. This time, he’s accompanied by an amazing guest, Meridith Grundei. Meridith is a renowned public speaking coach and owner of Grundei Coaching who specializes in public speaking and presentation skills.

Meridith explains that understanding your client and doing your due diligence of research and studying will help you immensely in your attempts to simplify any complex concept to any level of audience. You need to figure out your objective, point out all the key takeaways, and choose the ones that support your argument. Listen here 👉 https://www.yourcyberpath.com/podcast/104/