What clients say about workwing with leslie

"There is no one more special than Leslie Charles, CSP. Leslie is a qualified author, speaker and facilitator. MSAE has used her for keynotes, executive round table facilitation, breakouts, team building and private consulting. The best thing about Leslie is that if she cannot help you she will tell you, and will connect you to people who can help you. She was a key resource for me."
Cheryl O. Ronk CAE, CMP, FASAE
Past President and CEO, Michigan Society of Association Executives
"When you have a dynamic speaker scheduled for your event and need a replacement dynamic speaker to step in at the last minute, you call Leslie Charles, a dependable, energetic, informative, professional, and reliable speaker! I remain grateful that Leslie presented to our professional group last spring and am looking forward to a future engagement. Don’t hesitate, contact Leslie for your next event!"
Bonnie Stuut, CAP
International Association of Administrative Professionals, Kalamazoo LAN Director
"We were looking for a unique speaker who isn’t run of the mill. We wanted it to feel like we were hearing a story, while still learning, with an approachable vibe. We got just that with Leslie. She offers practical advice that speaks to the mind and the soul. For those who enjoy takeaways, she’s written books, some are fun quick reads, others to be used as a good reference. Leslie is real people with real experience, sharing real stories and making a real difference."
Amanda Toy CMP, CTA
Former Associate Director of Sales, Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
"Leslie is a totally engaging speaker! I have had the pleasure of working with Leslie numerous times and she is the consummate professional. Always prepared, on target with the expected message and keeps the group engaged throughout the sessions. Her humor is contagious but she packs serious content for attendees to mull over — long after the event."
Laurie Koelling
Regional VP, Past President, Greater Lansing Assn of Realtors and Women's Council of Realtors
"Charlotte Michigan’s LEAD program, hosted by CanDo!, gives up-and-coming local leaders the skills to grow into leadership roles of the future. Our facilitators are among the best in the region — and you can’t have ‘the best in the region’ if you don’t have Leslie Charles. Now in her seventh year with us, Leslie presents our module, COMMUNICATE to CONNECT. "
Adrian Bass
LEAD Pillar Chair
A Sampling of Leslie’s Clients
  • NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  • National Association of Insurance Women
  • National Institutes of Health
  • University of California Riverside
  • Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan
  • Michigan Health Information Management Association
  • The Humor Project International Conference
  • Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
  • Clinton, Eaton, Ingham Community Mental Health Authority
  • Michigan Funeral Directors Association
  • Honor Community Health
  • Women’s Council of REALTORS
  • Melanie Ilene Rieger Conference
    Against Violence
  • Crime Victim Advocate Networks,
    Oregon and Michigan
  • 92nd Street Y

Experience, Awards and Memberships

Experience and Accomplishments

  • 30+ years: training, keynoting, facilitating, consulting, coaching
  • Member, National Speakers Association (NSA) 1982 —2017
  • Earned: Certified Speaking Professional designation, NSA
  • Elected: NSA Board of Directors, served two 3-year terms
  • Founding member, twice past president, NSA-Michigan
    1983 – present
  • Two years of national media attention (TV, print, radio) with Why Is Everyone So Cranky?

Awards, Distinctions, Accomplishments

  • Outstanding Alumni, Michigan State University Communication Arts
    & Sciences
  • Distinguished Alumni, Lansing Community College
  • Communication Achievement Award, Toastmasters International
  • Career Woman of the Year, National Association of Career Women
  • Diamond Award, Michigan Society of Association Executives
  • NSA-Michigan, Charles Leadership Award
  • Legend of the Speaking Profession, Veteran Speakers Network

Community Involvement

  • Board Member, Volunteer, Greater Lansing Area YWCA
  • Board Member, Lansing Community College Alumni Association, Commencement Speaker, Volunteer Speaker for LCC
  • Board Member, Volunteer Speaker, Women’s Center of Greater Lansing
  • Board Member, Capital Area Management Services Condo Association
  • Chair, Meridian Township Communications Commission
  • Perennial Poll Worker, Meridian Township
  • Volunteer source for fundraisers and special events

What Clients Say

"There is no one more special than Leslie Charles, CSP. Leslie is a qualified author, speaker and facilitator. MSAE has used her for keynotes, executive round table facilitation, breakouts, team building and private consulting. The best thing about Leslie is that if she cannot help you she will tell you, and will connect you to people who can help you. She was a key resource for me."
Cheryl O. Ronk CAE, CMP, FASAEPast President and CEO, Michigan Society of Association Executives
"When you have a dynamic speaker scheduled for your event and need a replacement dynamic speaker to step in at the last minute, you call Leslie Charles, a dependable, energetic, informative, professional, and reliable speaker! I remain grateful that Leslie presented to our professional group last spring and am looking forward to a future engagement. Don’t hesitate, contact Leslie for your next event!"
Bonnie Stuut, CAPInternational Association of Administrative Professionals, Kalamazoo LAN Director
"We were looking for a unique speaker who isn’t run of the mill. We wanted it to feel like we were hearing a story, while still learning, with an approachable vibe. We got just that with Leslie. She offers practical advice that speaks to the mind and the soul. For those who enjoy takeaways, she’s written books, some are fun quick reads, others to be used as a good reference. Leslie is real people with real experience, sharing real stories and making a real difference."
Amanda Toy CMP, CTAFormer Associate Director of Sales, Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
"Leslie is a totally engaging speaker! I have had the pleasure of working with Leslie numerous times and she is the consummate professional. Always prepared, on target with the expected message and keeps the group engaged throughout the sessions. Her humor is contagious but she packs serious content for attendees to mull over — long after the event."
Laurie KoellingRegional VP, Past President, Greater Lansing Assn of Realtors and Women's Council of Realtors
"Charlotte Michigan’s LEAD program, hosted by CanDo!, gives up-and-coming local leaders the skills to grow into leadership roles of the future. Our facilitators are among the best in the region — and you can’t have ‘the best in the region’ if you don’t have Leslie Charles. Now in her seventh year with us, Leslie presents our module, COMMUNICATE to CONNECT. "
Adrian BassLEAD Pillar Chair
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