Biography

"Martha was a dynamic, inspiring speaker for our Executive Women. She reminds her audience in a delightfully entertaining way that the true key to meeting life's challenges is through a positive attitude. Her passion and enthusiasm are so contagious; her anecdotes pring to mind unexpectedly weeks after hearing her? She is one very remarkable woman!"
Judy Frink, VP Programs, Bartow Executive Women

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Open or close your next important meeting with a high energy speaker! Martha Lanier will energize your people with a distinctive presentation style that is entertaining and informative. Her wit and unique storytelling skills will help you reach your meeting's objectives and make the key learning points memorable!

Audiences feel their hearts race as she brings to life the skydiving adventure she experienced when celebrating her fiftieth birthday. Sharing the experience with her daughter, who was a pilot in the Navy, has left lasting memories for them both. This one experience helped her realize we are all capable of doing so much more than we think we can do!

After turning 60, her challenges continued. In the spring of 2008 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and on June 3rd of that year, had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. At 3 1/2 months post-op she walked 30 miles in the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for breast cancer and was also asked to speak at the closing ceremony. A year later she accepted the challenge from her two daughters to compete in the Iron Girl Triathlon. Although she had never competed OR participated in an athletic event in her life, she accepted their challenge thinking this would be a great way to celebrate her one year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor. Although it was the most challenging thing she had ever done, it was also the most rewarding.

Exactly four weeks after the Iron Girl as she was waiting for her book, Pink Lemonade, to be published, she was admitted to the hospital once again, this time in cardiac intensive care. What she thought was minor indigestion turned out to be a stress related heart attack. She learned first hand the importance of self care. She has made a full recovery and is now training once again.

Through informative and entertaining programs, audiences see how to become resilient and bounce back in difficult times. Today we are facing more obstacles than ever before. What is most important is how quickly we recover. Key points are brought to life through personal stories and reinforced with PowerPoint photos.
 

VALUE FOR THE AUDIENCE:

• Empowered to break through self-imposed barriers
• Motivated to take immediate action
• Inspired to believe in themselves 

 What makes Martha unique?

• A presentation style that utilizes the entire platform and allows her to move with ease and become “one" with her audience
• A relationship she develops with her audience as she shares her personal experiences and entertaining stories
• Storytelling skills that invite the audience to “experience" her stories with her
• A contagious energy that is maintained from her opening through her closing
• Presentation techniques that encourage her audience to participate
• A passion and pure enjoyment on the platform that generates a special “connection" with each member of her audience

 Benefits of working with Martha:

• Her priority is to deliver a powerful and memorable program
• She will support you in producing a smooth and worry-free meeting, offering additional assistance wherever possible
• She is “low maintenance" with “high value"
• She always arrives early at the location, notifies you immediately, checks the room/AV equipment/logistics and meets/mixes with attendees prior to delivering her program
• She will remain at the meeting as long as she can provide value
• She will always end her program at a specified time (or as requested) and never exceed the time frame causing a delay in the agenda
• She is easily accessible before and after speaking

Keynote and Breakout Sessions:

“The Power of Choice: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities"
Today, many people are stressed by the economy, personal finances, health and happiness. How does each person respond to the challenge? Everyone has a choice --- to hide from the challenge or attack it and transform it into an opportunity. Martha provides an entertaining and action-packed program that demonstrates how to turn negative circumstances into positive results.

She is no stranger to resilience and perseverance in the face of difficulty. Her experiences from surviving breast cancer and bilateral mastectomy to surviving an unlikely heart attack to becoming an Iron Girl Triathlete, illustrate her expertise in overcoming self-limiting barriers. With her unique storytelling style, Martha shares ways to solve challenges from a different perspective. Audiences leave knowing how to make powerful choices that result in being recharged, refocused and ready to overcome new challenges. 

"The Power of Understanding: Improving Relationships at Work and at Home" 
Recognizing the different methods people use to think, process and respond to situations increases the opportunity to improve relationships with co-workers, customers, family and friends. Knowing why everyone doesn't think the same way "we" do and applying that knowledge, is a powerful way to achieve understanding and generate positive results.

This visual and interactive session provides solutions on how to identify different behavioral styles and how to best communicate with them. Concepts are based on understanding how we each respond to solving problems, influencing others, reacting to situations and following procedures. Attendees also learn to eliminate conflict by identifying effective methods of working with different generations.

This program illuminates real differences in communication style. Attendees leave the session with key learning points they can apply immediately and that company management can use to launch crucial discussions for understanding within their own culture.

"The Power of Influence - Leadership Skills for Today's Leaders"
Each and every day there are opportunities available to influence the lives of employees, customers, family and friends. Although the influence may not be obvious, it is always there - either positive or negative. This program offers special techniques to encourage and reinforce the skills of others. Attendees understand the influence they have with others and discover how to build confidence and produce future leaders within their company.

 
Room Setup Tips:

• For an audience larger than 30 people, a mic assures everyone can hear.
• A wireless mic provides freedom to move throughout the platform and into the audience.
• There is a closer relationship with the audience when there are no obstructions such as a podium or table between her and the audience. If there is a lecturn, please place it on the left or right side.
• Place front rows as close as possible to the platform or stage area no less than a six foot distance.
• Chevron seating (curved rows) provides a warmer and friendlier environment.
• Either long or round tables work best for breakouts or programs lasting two hours or more.
• She will work with you to make the best of any situation regardless of the conditions.

What Meeting Planners Have to Say About Martha:

“I'm always nervous about speakers I have not personally seen, but Martha Lanier was highly recommended, so I took a chance. My jitters disappeared as soon as I spoke to her. She was so friendly and vibrant that I felt like I'd known her all of my life. We have received nothing less than rave reviews from everyone who attended. From the moment she walked on state, she held us all captive with her humor and enthusiasm. She used her real life situations to relay her message and everyone could relate to her at some point during her speech."
Angela Hosch, International Association of Administrative Professionals - Georgia Power Chapter

“Martha Lanier was terrific! She presented a full-day program for Administrative Professionals Day and held the audience on the hook for every minute. Ignite Your Potential is an apt name for her company as she fired up the audience and engaged them in the beginning and kept the heat up with her energy and humor for the rest of the day. Martha was so easy and fun to work with and the participants were truly inspired by her motivational message."
Teresa L. Nunn, Program Coordinator. Georgia Center for Continuing Education, University of GA

 
"I have received tremendous feedback. Your positive message and energized delivery motivated and inspired the group. I was especially impressed with how you tailored the presentation for our group. It was timely and relevant and I appreciate you accommodating our needs. Thanks again for speaking to us and for all that you do to inspire, energize and motivate people."
Tiffany Hoffine, Mentor Leadership Program, Deloitte & Touche

 
“Your presentation on 'Living Your Potential' was certainly a Å big hit and something everyone enjoyed. There were many complimentary comments from our members such as 'she was excellent, my potential has certainly been fired up,' and 'she made me think.' You were a big hit with all of our attendees!" 
Martharine Pitts, IAAP

 
“I was awed at your abilities to grab the audience's attention and never let us go until the last word."
Carole Madan, American Association of University Women

 WHAT AUDIENCES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT MARTHA:

 “Your presentation touched me in a way I had not expected from this conference. It has caused me to think about who I am and to re-evaluate where I am headed in life." 
Katie Parriott, GA Tech Leadership Conference

 
“It was so much more than I expected! I feel enlightened and empowered by all I have learned today."
Cheryl Goodwin, Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services

 
“Your stage presence is awesome and your storytelling captivating. I love your sense of humor and your ability to 'be' the story."
Marilynn Mobley, Acorn Consulting Group, Inc.

 
“Your enthusiasm for life is contagious!"
Sally Jones, National Hardwood Sales Convention

 
“Your story about skydiving had me on the edge of my seat, great storytelling! Your comments on 'limitations' at the end were right on target!"
Jeff Wansley, NAM Regional Manager-SE

 
"Great stories with great relevance to the points."
Sarah Kindinger, GMAC

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/DESIGNATIONS:

• National Speakers Association
  • NSA Georgia Chapter - President 2006-2007
  • Member of the Year 2005
  • VP of Programs & Education, 2004-2005
  • VP of Membership, 2003-2004
  • Outstanding Service Award, 2003
  • Volunteer of the Year, 2002
• Toastmasters International, Interstate North Chapter
  • Competent Toastmaster (CTM)
  • Advanced Toastmaster Bronze (ATM Bronze)
  • Competent Leader (CL)
  • VP Membership -2001-2002
  • 2001 Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year
  • 2002 Hervey Ross Outstanding Toastmaster

Publications/Publicity:

• Author of Pink Lemonade: Mastectomy Tips and Insights From a Breast Cancer Survivor
• Co-author of 303 Solutions for Dropping Stress and Finding Balance
• Co-author of 303 Solutions for Accomplishing More in Less Time
• Co-author of 303 Solutions for Developing the Leader in You.
• One of four women featured in Woman's Day Magazine for taking risks after the age of 50 (skydiving).
• Interviewed by CBS - Channel 46 to discuss setting goals for the New Year

To book Martha , fill out the contact form below, or visit her website by clicking here