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 Harness the Power of Storytelling to Make a Personal Connection
We now have countless technologies and ways to share information, yet the age-old tool of storytelling is still the best way to make a personal connection so people tune in and understand what you’re saying. Storytelling is a powerful tool to use in presentations, meetings, one-on-one conversations and other communications.
Too often we focus on what I think is important, what I want people to know instead of taking the time to understand the other person’s needs and interests, and craft messaging that connects to them, not you.
Cynthia draws upon her 25+ years of public relations experience to help people use storytelling to breakdown walls, make a personal connection and be heard. She has given this presentation and delivered workshops to organizations across North America, ranging from healthcare, education, non-profit, government and corporate clients, adapting to meet the unique needs of the audience.
Participants will learn:
How storytelling changes the way our brain processes and connects with information
The elements of an impactful story
The role of emotions and facts to help ensure different personality types make a connection
How to integrate storytelling to improve your communications style (in both your professional and personal life)
To share their stories with confidence
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: How to Communicate for Success
We all want to have our voice heard and create a positive connection with others. In this interactive presentation/workshop, we’ll explore practical ways to strengthen your communications skills at work as well as with friends and family.
It starts with understanding how to adjust your communications style to meet the needs of your audience (based on their personality, interest and ability to process what you’re saying). From there, we’ll look at how to clear on your message, understand the role of emotions and facts, have a clear call to action and finally, the importance of body language.
Participants will learn:
The different personality types (yours and others)
Importance of having a curiosity mindset to avoid judgement or assumptions
How to prepare for a conversation, being clear on your message
Practical tips and resources while gaining the clarity and confidence to communicate for success
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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