Cynthia Lockrey
Lockrey Communications - Change maker + communications consultant
Duncan, Canada
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Cynthia Lockrey helps leaders and organizations communicate with clarity, confidence and purpose. A former reporter and newspaper editor with more than 29 years of experience in public relations, crisis communications and leadership communications, she specializes in turning complex ideas into compelling stories that build trust, inspire action and create meaningful change. An engaging keynote speaker and corporate trainer, Cynthia has worked with organizations across North America and is consistently rated as a top conference speaker for her practical, story-driven presentations. Audiences appreciate her ability to simplify complex communication challenges into strategies they can immediately put into practice. Cynthia brings authenticity, empathy and humour to every presentation. Whether speaking about storytelling, leadership, advocacy or communication, she equips audiences with the tools and confidence to use their voice, strengthen relationships and create lasting impact.
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KEYNOTE: Human Side of Change: How Storytelling Builds Trust, Reduces Resistance & Inspires Action
Change doesn't fail because organizations lack good ideas—it fails because people struggle to connect with them.
In today's workplace, leaders are expected to navigate constant change while keeping employees engaged, informed and motivated. Yet too often, change is communicated through presentations, emails and data, leaving people overwhelmed rather than inspired. The missing ingredient isn't more information—it's human connection.
In this engaging and practical keynote, communications expert, former journalist and award-winning speaker Cynthia Lockrey reveals how storytelling can transform the way leaders communicate change. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience in journalism, public relations, leadership communications and advocacy, Cynthia shares practical strategies that help leaders build trust, reduce resistance and move people from uncertainty to action.
Using her practical CARE Method, participants learn how to create authentic connections, align messages with what people care about, simplify complex change into memorable stories, and engage others in ways that inspire confidence and commitment.
Whether you're leading organizational transformation, implementing new initiatives or helping teams navigate uncertainty, you'll leave with practical tools to communicate change in a way that people don't just understand—they embrace.
Audience Takeaways
Participants will learn how to:
• Understand why people resist change
• Communicate change with greater clarity and confidence
• Move beyond information overload
• Identify what different audiences care about
• Use storytelling in everyday leadership
• Create lasting momentum for change
Cynthia has been delivering keynotes and workshops for over 20 years to a wide range of audience including government, healthcare, non-profit, corporate and small business. Keynotes are 45 minutes while workshops are 2-3 hours (with 3 hours allowing for more peer to peer discussions). Audience - individuals who are leading change management activities requiring buy-in for successful implementation.
KEYNOTE: The Human Connection Advantage: How Storytelling Inspires Trust, Action and Change
In today's world, we're surrounded by more information than ever before, yet genuine human connection has never been harder to achieve. Whether you're leading change, advocating for an idea, presenting to stakeholders or inspiring a team, facts alone rarely move people to action.
In this engaging keynote, communications expert, former journalist and award-winning speaker Cynthia Lockrey introduces her practical CARE Method—a simple framework that transforms the way people communicate.
Through compelling stories, neuroscience and real-world examples, Cynthia shows audiences how to Connect through authentic storytelling, Align their message with what their audience truly cares about, Refine complex ideas into clear, memorable messages, and Engage people in ways that inspire trust, action and lasting change.
Participants leave with practical tools they can immediately apply to presentations, leadership, advocacy, change management and everyday conversations—helping them move beyond simply sharing information to creating meaningful connections that people remember long after the conversation ends.
Program Takeaways
By attending this program, attendees will:
• Understand why stories are far more memorable than facts alone.
• Use the practical tips to craft clear, engaging and persuasive messages.
• Connect with different audiences by understanding what they care about.
• Turn complex information into stories that build trust and inspire action.
• Use storytelling to strengthen leadership, presentations, advocacy, change management and everyday conversations.
Cynthia has been delivering keynotes and workshops for over 20 years to a wide range of audience including government, healthcare, non-profit, corporate and small business. Keynotes are 45 minutes while workshops are 2-3 hours (with 3 hours allowing for more peer to peer discussions). Audience - anyone who speaks with customers, leads teams or wants to improve their communications skills. Participants will gain the skills and clarity to communicate with confidence.
KEYNOTE: The Advocacy Advantage: The Art of Turning Your Message into Meaningful Action
Advocacy isn't about having the loudest voice—it's about making the strongest connection.
Whether you're advocating for yourself, a loved one, your community or an important cause, facts and passion alone rarely change minds. Lasting change happens when people understand not only what you're asking for, but why it matters. That's where storytelling becomes your greatest advocacy tool.
In this engaging and practical keynote, communications expert, former journalist, patient advocate and award-winning speaker Cynthia Lockrey shares how storytelling can transform advocacy conversations from emotional and overwhelming to clear, compelling and influential. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience in communications—and years of advocating for her autistic child and sibling—Cynthia introduces her practical CARE Method for communicating with confidence, building trust and inspiring meaningful action.
Participants will discover how to share stories that connect with decision-makers, strengthen relationships, reduce conflict and create opportunities for collaboration. Whether advocating in healthcare, education, government, the workplace or the community, attendees will leave with practical tools to communicate with greater clarity, confidence and purpose.
Advocacy isn't simply about being heard. It's about creating the kind of human connection that inspires people to listen, understand and act.
Program Takeaways
By attending this program, attendees will:
• Use storytelling as a strategic advocacy tool
• Communicate with clarity and confidence
• Turn personal experiences into powerful stories
• Build stronger relationships with decision-makers
• Move beyond emotion alone
• Adapt advocacy messages for different audiences
• Advocate with purpose while protecting your energy
Cynthia has been delivering keynotes and workshops for over 20 years to a wide range of audience including government, healthcare, non-profit, corporate and small business. Keynotes are 45 minutes while workshops are 2-3 hours (with 3 hours allowing for more peer to peer discussions). Audience - anyone who wants to strengthen their advocacy skills - for themselves, clients or loved ones. Participants will gain the skills and clarity to communicate with confidence.
WORKSHOP - How to Use Storytelling to Connect, Communicate and Inspire Action
Move beyond information overload and learn how to communicate in a way that makes people care, remember and act.
This highly interactive workshop gives participants practical storytelling tools they can immediately apply to presentations, meetings, leadership conversations, change initiatives, advocacy and everyday workplace communications.
Cynthia customizes the workshop to the organization’s goals, audience and communication challenges, ensuring participants aren’t learning storytelling in theory—they’re learning how to use it in the situations that matter most to them.
Through engaging stories, practical exercises, discussion and real-world examples, participants will build the confidence to turn complex information into clear, compelling messages that connect with their audience.
Participants leave with:
• Practical storytelling techniques they can use immediately
• A clearer understanding of how to tailor messages to different audiences
• Tools to make complex information more engaging and memorable
• Increased confidence in sharing stories in professional settings
• Digital resources and tools to reinforce the learning long after the workshop ends
The result: Participants don’t simply learn how to tell better stories. They learn how to communicate in a way that builds connection, earns trust and moves people to action.
Cynthia has been delivering keynotes and workshops for over 20 years to a wide range of audience including government, healthcare, non-profit, corporate and small business. Workshop delivered virtually or in-person in 2 or 3 hour format (3 hour allows for more group discussion) and customized to meet the needs of the audience. Includes worksheet and digital resources to help implement the learnings.
WORKSHOP - How to Navigate Crisis Communications
A crisis can happen at any time, throwing an organization into a tailspin. How you communicate to your internal and external audiences is key to limiting the severity, impact and duration of the crisis. It can also make the difference of protecting your reputation or having your reputation destroyed.
Cynthia breaks down the elements of a crisis – pre (planning), during (managing the crisis) and post (lessons learned), walking through the role of communications at each step. Learn how to prepare, take control and ensure lessons learned are implemented to help your organization plan for the next event. Don’t let a crisis be the first time you think about your response, resulting in confusion and mixed messages.
Cynthia draws upon her experience being the crisis communications lead for a venue city for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, three local governments as well as assisting a number of organizations in navigating crises.
Participants will learn:
The importance and elements of crisis communications planning
Common pitfalls to avoid at all stages of a crisis
How to respond with a cool head and proactive strategy when a crisis hits
Cynthia has been delivering keynotes and workshops for over 20 years to a wide range of audience including government, healthcare, non-profit, corporate and small business. This can be delivered virtually or in-person as a 45-minute keynote or workshop. Workshop delivered in 2 or 3 hour format (3 hour allows for more group discussion) and customized to meet the needs of the audience. Includes worksheet and digital resources to help implement the learnings.
WORKSHOP - Communicate to Connect: How to Adapt Your Communication Style for Stronger Teams
We communicate all day—but being heard, understood and trusted is a different story.
In this highly interactive workshop, communications expert and professional speaker Cynthia Lockrey gives participants practical tools to communicate with greater clarity, confidence and impact. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, participants learn the how to adapt their communication style to different personalities, needs and ways of processing information.
Through real-world examples, interactive exercises and immediately usable techniques, Cynthia explores how to prepare for difficult conversations, get clear on your message, balance facts and emotions, replace assumptions with curiosity and use body language to strengthen your message.
Participants leave with greater confidence in their ability to navigate conversations, reduce misunderstandings and create stronger connections—at work and in everyday life.
Participants will learn how to:
• Recognize different personalities and communication styles—including their own—and adapt their approach accordingly.
• Use a curiosity mindset to ask better questions and avoid assumptions and judgment.
• Get clear on their key message before entering an important conversation.
• Balance facts and emotions to communicate in a way that resonates.
• Use practical techniques, including body language and active listening, to strengthen connection.
• Approach conversations with greater clarity, confidence and purpose.
Cynthia has been delivering keynotes and workshops for over 20 years to a wide range of audience including government, healthcare, non-profit, corporate and small business. Workshop delivered virtually or in-person in 2 or 3 hour format (3 hour allows for more group discussion) and customized to meet the needs of the audience. Includes worksheet and digital resources to help implement the learnings.
WORKSHOP - Present to Connect: Create Engaging Presentations and Deliver Them with Confidence
A great presentation isn't about delivering the most information—it's about creating a connection with the people in the room.
Whether you're presenting to a boardroom, leading a team meeting, speaking at a conference or pitching an idea, the goal is the same: help your audience understand, care about and remember your message.
In this highly interactive workshop, communications expert and professional speaker Cynthia Lockrey gives participants practical tools to create presentations that are focused, engaging and memorable—and the confidence and presence to deliver them effectively.
Drawing on nearly three decades of communications experience, Cynthia takes participants beyond traditional presentation and PowerPoint training. They'll learn how to understand what their audience needs, determine what information belongs in the presentation, turn ideas into compelling stories and use visuals to support—not overwhelm—their message.
The workshop also focuses on the person behind the presentation. Participants explore how preparation, body language, voice, active listening and audience awareness can transform how they show up in front of a room. The result is a presentation that feels authentic, confident and connected rather than scripted or simply read from a screen.
The goal isn't to turn participants into professional speakers. It's to help them become more confident, engaging and effective presenters—people who can take an idea and turn it into an experience their audience will remember.
Participants will learn how to:
• Create presentations that connect with an audience rather than simply deliver information.
• Identify what their audience needs to know—and what they don't.
• Build a clear, focused message and structure presentations for maximum impact.
• Use storytelling to make ideas more engaging, relatable and memorable.
• Use visuals and PowerPoint to support the message rather than become the message.
• Apply practical techniques immediately to their next presentation.
Cynthia has been delivering keynotes and workshops for over 20 years to a wide range of audience including government, healthcare, non-profit, corporate and small business. Workshop delivered virtually or in-person in 2 or 3 hour format (3 hour allows for more group discussion) and customized to meet the needs of the audience. Includes worksheet and digital resources to help implement the learnings.
Cynthia Lockrey
Lockrey Communications - Change maker + communications consultant
Duncan, Canada
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