Natalie B.
Founder + CEO at HerCsuite®
Leadership
Education: BA, with honors, University of Michigan - Executive MBA, with honors Lake Forest Graduate School of Management
Elgin, IL, USA
Biography
Engage Your Audience In New Ways
Whether you are hosting an in-person or virtual program, Natalie Benamou understands the importance of connecting with participants right away. Natalie is a visionary leader, sought-after speaker, and Founder of HerCsuite®, a powerful platform dedicated to advancing women in leadership, board roles, and entrepreneurship. She is also the host of the acclaimed *Women Leaders on the Move* podcast, which ranks among the top 25 in its category and highlights ambitious women shaping the future of leadership.
Having hosted over 200 speaking engagements and events, Natalie has a remarkable ability to connect with audiences instantly, using intuitive techniques to create memorable and engaging experiences. She has been featured as a keynote speaker at prestigious events, including the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association National Conference, and is known for her ability to inspire actionable change.
As a business strategist and “rainmaker,” Natalie has driven over $110 million in revenue throughout her career, delivering transformative results for organizations. She combines her expertise in leadership development, business strategy, and organizational growth to help women achieve their goals, whether it's securing promotions, landing board roles, or scaling their businesses.
Natalie’s passion for creating impact extends beyond HerCsuite®. As President of HER HEALTHX, she champions improved health outcomes for women. Her dedication to fostering a community of support and empowerment is rooted in her personal philosophy, inspired by Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
Recognized for her dynamic speaking style, strategic insights, and authentic connection with audiences, Natalie continues to empower women leaders to elevate their careers and drive meaningful change in the world. Natalie has been a speaker for HCSC (parent of Blue Cross Blue Shield), Terumo Medical, Coupa Software, Horizon (now Amgen), Global Women's Leadership Network (GWLN), Ladies Get Paid and will be a featured speaker at the Thrive in 2025 Women's Conference.
Passion
Advancing women leaders to achieve career success and improving health outcomes for women. Natalie enjoys speaking to leaders looking to take action and achieve results.
Featured Book
My Podcast
I am willing to travel
Up to 25 miles
When it comes to payments
I speak for the exposure for myself and my company
Topics
Best Story
BAM! Pivot to Purpose
Unexpected events can shift the course of our lives, but they also offer opportunities to find new purpose and inspire others along the way. Natalie Benamou, Host of Women Leaders on the Move and Founder of HerCsuite® shares her experience with a brain injury that led her to discover a new path.
A Shift Out of Nowhere
Natalie was on her way to a major conference when her life took an unexpected turn. She was getting settled on a plane when a 15-pound laptop bag hit her head, causing a concussion and a traumatic brain injury. This changed everything. She lost her photographic memory, and constant vertigo made even the simplest activities, like riding in a car, a challenge.
Finding Purpose Amidst Adversity
Despite the pain and confusion, Natalie knew she had to find a new direction. Instead of dwelling on what she lost, she embraced the opportunity to invent something new. This shift led her to a women's networking event that became a turning point in her life. Despite her memory issues and self-doubt, Natalie found support and guidance in a community of inspirational women at the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA).
The Power of a Strong Community
Natalie's leadership journey with HBA was pivotal not only in volunteer roles but also in leading and scaling organizations. She discovered strength, resilience and the power to rise up to achieve new levels of sales success by surrounding herself with amazing women.
Stepping into Leadership
The story of her journey of becoming President of the HBA Chicago chapter is a testament to her focus on persistence. Through her leadership, she created programs that elevated women in healthcare, increasing attendance and membership numbers in the process. This experience revealed her belief that all women should feel valued.
Lessons from the Journey
Natalie's story is a reminder that when life throws unexpected challenges our way, we can find the strength to pivot and embrace change. It's also an example of the power of community—how surrounding yourself with supportive people can make all the difference. Most importantly, her story shows that real success takes hard work, resilience, and the courage to take on new roles, even when you're not sure you're ready.
Favorite Quotes:
“Only you can summon the courage to take a step forward to leadership. It is your courage that will empower you to persist when you are faced with a challenge.”
-Natalie Benamou, Founder, HerCsuite®
Origin Story
Natalie Benamou knows first hand the art of reinvention after a traumatic brain injury. Undeterred, she reinvented ways to compensate for memory loss and forged a path to leading with purpose both for her organization in the Trade Show industry and serving as President of the Healthcare Businesswomen's (HBA) Chicago and being a mentor for 10 years before founding HerCsuite®.
In 2016 Natalie attended a small in-person event in San Diego hosted by Amy Porterfield with Pat Flynn and John Lee Dumas. She decided to become a podcast host and was coached by Katie Krimitsos (Women's Meditation Network - over 100 million downloads). Her first podcast was Rock Your Trade Show and had 100 episodes. In 2021, she launched her second podcast Women Leaders on the Move with almost 200 episodes featuring many speakers from Innovation Women and HerCsuite®.
Natalie credits her ability to be a speaker from her uncle, Bill Siemering, who founded NPR and programs including All Things Considered and Fresh Air. Growing up listening to how interviews told a story is deeply rooted in her presentation style as a facilitator.
Example talks
The Secret to Executive Sponsorship
Having a sponsor is key to promotions and expanding career possibilities. While many women have a mentor, finding a sponsor can be a confusing process.
This program works really well as a panel discussion and will give insights both on how sponsors helped them advance their careers. Gain a behind the scenes look at the difference of how a sponsor makes the difference in promotions.
-Discover how executive women secured a sponsor.
-Understand what sponsors need to know.
-How to prepare for your sponsorship ask.
-Leaders will learn how to accept a sponsor request and what your role is in their development
-Find out the difference between a mentor and a sponsor and why you need both.
Natalie Benamou, Founder, HerCsuite® serves as a facilitator and also as an event producer, secures speakers for the panel.
Get to Yes Faster and Win Leadership Buy-In
This interactive program designed to help you pitch your ideas and get quick approval from decision-makers. This session is focused on giving you all the tools you need to communicate your ideas more effectively at every level.
What You’ll Learn:
-10 Steps to Yes: Learn strategies to get the support you need for any project or idea.
-Improve Your Communication: Boost your ability to talk about your ideas clearly and persuasively.
-Build Support Across Your Company: Find out how to share your idea with others in your company and get them on your side.
Workbook: Get an actionable handout with 10 steps to help you apply what you learn and get to your next yes!
Who Should Attend:
This program is ideal for all career levels and for individuals who want to get their ideas noticed and approved quickly within an organization.
About the Speaker:
Natalie has been called a “rainmaker” by her clients and provides strategic business consultation to win more business, negotiate better deals and not leave anything on the table. She has sold over $110 million in revenue and was recognized as a top leader in the trade show industry for over 20 years. Natalie is a sought-out speaker, moderator, and serial podcast host of over 300 podcast interviews.