Speaking & Training

Practical communication training for the moments that shape professional reputation.

Laressa leads keynotes, workshops, and private trainings for law firms, leadership teams, professional associations, and organizations. Participants work on the messages, preparation, and delivery they need for presentations, media interviews, client conversations, and other visible moments.

Keynotes Workshops Team trainings Executive retreats

Laressa Watlington leading an executive communication training

Emmy Award-winning bilingual journalist, producer, presenter, and communication coach

Selected training experience

Organizations where Laressa has taught and trained.

Her work has reached corporate teams, journalists, attorneys, leaders, students, and professional communities at national organizations and Colorado institutions.

Signature training

Two practical programs for real professional situations.

Both are customized for the audience. Becoming a Trusted Voice develops broader communication skills. Media Ready prepares people for interviews, podcasts, video, and other public-facing moments. Engagements may be delivered as keynotes, focused trainings, workshops, retreats, or small-group communication labs.

Communication workshop

Becoming a Trusted Voice

Practical, interactive training that helps accomplished professionals make complex ideas easier to understand, remain composed when the stakes are high, and become trusted voices others remember, recommend, and turn to.

Participants learn to

  • Build a grounded presence that communicates confidence and credibility
  • Turn complex expertise into clear, memorable messages
  • Strengthen vocal delivery and audience connection
  • Practice high-stakes scenarios with live coaching and focused feedback
Bring this workshop to your organization

Media training

Media Ready

Customized communication and media training for the people who represent an organization in interviews, podcasts, video, and other high-visibility situations.

Participants learn to

  • Clarify the main message and prepare concise talking points
  • Answer difficult questions without losing the point
  • Strengthen on-camera presence and vocal delivery
  • Practice realistic scenarios with direct feedback
Ask about Media Ready

From the room

What people say about Laressa’s work.

“Laressa’s ‘Own Your Voice, Shape Your Future’ workshop provided our Fellows with an engaging and practical opportunity to strengthen their confidence, clarify their professional identities, and communicate their unique strengths. Her thoughtful and authentic approach helped participants recognize the value of their lived experiences while equipping them with tools to navigate professional and legal spaces with greater purpose and confidence.”

Dr. Kimberle Jackson-ButlerLSYWC Executive Director

“I've had the pleasure of connecting with Laressa over the last year, and hearing her speak at The Power Table LIVE in Destin, Florida. Laressa is a highly skilled speaking coach, and she has a fun and engaging stage presence that keeps the whole audience glued to what she's sharing.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Laressa as a speaker for any event where the audience is looking to leave both activated and inspired!”

Katrina OwensPersonal Branding & PR Strategist

“I have had the pleasure of working alongside Laressa for several years, and she is an exceptional marketing strategist, public-speaking coach, and media coach. Her Emmy-winning background in video production, combined with years of on-camera experience, gives her a deep understanding of how to help professionals present themselves with confidence and authenticity.

What truly sets Laressa apart is her dedication to ensuring her clients' voices are heard and their messages resonate. She has an incredible ability to empower professionals to speak with clarity and presence, whether on camera or in high-stakes situations.”

Abby YoungCEO, Abby Young Styling

Additional topics Laressa can tailor to the audience

These themes may shape a focused session or be incorporated into a broader workshop.

  • High-stakes communication under pressure

    Build a clear throughline, stay composed when scrutiny rises, and make the main point easier to follow.

  • Storytelling and message development

    Turn experience and expertise into relevant examples and stories that support the message.

  • Executive presence for presentations, panels, and public events

    Strengthen openings, body language, vocal delivery, audience connection, and real-time adjustment.

  • Professional positioning and visibility

    Clarify what you want to be known for and give other people language they can understand and repeat.

  • Cross-cultural and bilingual communication

    Adapt tone, context, and delivery for diverse or international audiences. Sessions may be delivered in English or Spanish.

Laressa Watlington speaking to a live audience with a handheld microphone

Active learning

Practical, engaging, and built for participation.

Sessions move between instruction, discussion, and practice, so participants stay involved and can test the tools in real time. They may sharpen a presentation opening, prepare for difficult questions, practice an interview or panel response, or work through a communication challenge from their own professional lives.

Laressa provides focused coaching and gives participants a chance to try again. Media and Q&A sessions may also incorporate her ABC structure.

What participants may practice

  • Message mapping and talking-point development
  • Presentation openings, transitions, and closings
  • Interview, panel, networking, or leadership scenarios
  • On-camera practice and vocal delivery
  • Direct coaching followed by a repeat attempt

Why Laressa

Experience on both sides of the camera and microphone.

20+years in media and communication

Laressa is an Emmy Award-winning bilingual journalist, producer, and presenter with more than two decades in media and communication and more than 15 years in professional coaching and training.

She has shaped stories behind the scenes, interviewed experts, presented to audiences, and prepared professionals for high-stakes moments. That range helps her understand what audiences need in order to follow a message and what speakers need in order to deliver it with clarity and composure.

Meet Laressa

Participant perspectives

What participants say about Media Ready.

Open a testimonial to read the complete experience.

Media readiness“I took Laressa Watlington’s Media Ready training and walked out with a wealth of knowledge that I could use right away.”Julixa HaddonBusiness Growth ConsultantRead full testimonialClose testimonial

“I took Laressa Watlington’s Media Ready training and walked out with a wealth of knowledge that I could use right away. She showed us why visibility is directly tied to business growth and how to position ourselves as true experts. I learned how to develop expert topics, build a powerful story bank, and craft pitches that actually grab attention. She also gave us an inside look at how media decision making works, how to be camera ready for interviews, and how to manage visibility goals without feeling overwhelmed.

This masterclass was practical, clear, and full of strategies that make a real difference. I left feeling confident, prepared, and ready to step into bigger opportunities.”

Customized training“She took the time to understand my personal goals and tailored the content to fit my needs, making the experience feel completely customized.”Gabriela RuizMarketing Business PartnerRead full testimonialClose testimonial

“Laressa’s Media Ready training course was exactly what I needed—and more. Her deep expertise is matched by her generosity and genuine support throughout the process. She took the time to understand my personal goals and tailored the content to fit my needs, making the experience feel completely customized.

What stood out most was Laressa’s openness to questions—no matter how big or small—and her thoughtful, encouraging feedback. She not only offered expert suggestions for improvement but also made sure to highlight what I was already doing well, which boosted my confidence tremendously.”

Message development“She equipped us with practical frameworks such as story banking and topic banks, which have streamlined the way I generate ideas and prepare for media opportunities.”Amairani Perez ChamuPR CoordinatorRead full testimonialClose testimonial

“Laressa’s Media Ready training was an outstanding experience. She equipped us with practical frameworks such as story banking and topic banks, which have streamlined the way I generate ideas and prepare for media opportunities. Her guidance on developing pitches and engaging with media outlets was strategic, insightful, and tailored to our specific goals. I left the training with greater confidence and a stronger toolkit to communicate our stories effectively.”

Bring practical communication training to your team, firm, or event.

Tell Laressa about the audience, the communication situations they face, and what you want them able to do afterward.

Inquire about speaking & training

Available formats

  • Keynotes
  • 60–90 minute trainings
  • Half-day workshops
  • Full-day workshops
  • Leadership retreats
  • Small-group communication labs

Engagements are quoted based on format, audience, location, travel, and preparation needs.