Clarity Central - Our Bios

CLARITY CENTRAL®

CORPORATE TRAINING
HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAMS
COACHING KEYNOTES

Michael Foley

Michael Foley knows how to tell a story. Whether reassuring novice adventurers during his tenure as an Outward Bound instructor or helping executives pack punch into a presentation, Mike's stories and humor have been at the core of his success as a keynote speaker, coach, and trainer.

Prior to founding Clarity Central, Mike excelled as a major account manager for General Electric and Ameritech. He knows firsthand what it takes to differentiate one's self in the marketplace. As a result, Mike has developed talks and courses that are hard hitting, applicable, and powerful. His "zero fluff" approach to education is highly engaging for even the toughest of audiences.

An avid sailor, Mike expanded Clarity Central to offer life/career renewal expeditions and coaching sessions on the water. "There's something about being on the water that invites a different perspective and clarity that can't be found in a conference room," he observes. Michael has a BS in Engineering, an MA in Human Development, and post-graduate certificates in coaching.

Scott P. Nelson

Scott Nelson is an accomplished certified life coach with a history of success in ontological effectiveness coaching. He has discovered his purpose in coaching by creating an opening for others to make a profound difference in their lives through ontology (way of being). His personal coaching experience spans internationally in Africa, Mexico, and the United States and involves several industries as well as many different organizational and personality types.

In the community, Scott is also a well respected youth sports coach who uses his life coaching skills to teach the kids a very high level of pride, accountability, and responsibility that expands beyond the sport.

Scott is a graduate and now a staff coach of the Ideal Coaching Academy in Minneapolis and has done post-graduate work in Emotional Intelligence and Life Transformation. He is a business management graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Scott previously worked at Mayo Clinic as a conflict resolution mediator for patients and for physicians.

Amy F. Banks

Amy is a highly experienced corporate trainer based out of New York. She discovered her love of adult education 13 years ago and has since taught hundreds of seminars. Amy is deeply committed to providing her audiences with a unique learning experience that is positive, lasting and immediately applicable.

Amy's commitment to training excellence has benefited many Fortune 500 companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Mass Mutual, IBM and Goldman Sachs, to name a few. Client feedback is consistent: Amy is tops and receives nothing but high ratings. There are few trainers as dedicated to the success of their participants as Amy is, and that makes all the difference!

Prior to becoming a Senior Partner with Clarity Central, Amy spent over a decade in consulting, marketing and sales management with several technology companies. She has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Illinois and spends her free time with her husband, Paul, while chasing after their three little boys.

Catherine Gray

Catherine Gray was eight years old and in the middle of a rambling recount of her day when her mother lovingly suggested she "sum it all up in three good sentences". Catherine marks that moment as the beginning of an education that ultimately led to her current role as a communications trainer and coach with Clarity Central.

In addition to her work with Clarity Central, Catherine serves as the national communications trainer for The White House Project, a non-profit and non- partisan organization that promotes women's leadership in business, culture and politics.

Catherine attended Scripps College and received her BFA in Filmmaking from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She is an active member of Screenwriter's Workshop, Women in Film and TV, and Independent Feature Project, and also serves on the Board of Directors of TVbyGIRLS.

Michael Symons

“I didn’t know I could do that” said one of Mike’s clients after making a particularly effective and important presentation. That’s exactly what Mike wants to hear because his expertise is helping individuals and teams hone their communication and presentation skills.

With over 30 years in sales, management, and training, Mike has extraordinary experience in planning, packaging, and rehearsing everything from “big deal” presentations, responses to major RFP’s, to keynote speeches and presentations to management and boards of directors. He has worked with multi-national corporations and fledgling start-ups; executives and new employees; as well as giving keynote speeches and workshops throughout the country.

Mike has a BA in Art and Music and spends what free time he has in the quiet farm country of southeastern Minnesota with his wife and an assortment of rescued dogs.

Nancy Von Horn

Everyone has a story! From an early age, Nancy has been fascinated by people's stories, especially the ones not yet written. She has a natural gift to draw these stories from a diverse cross section of people. Her passion and curiosity, along with her formal education and training, led her to found Chartered Destiny Coaching and Training 16 years ago.

Nancy, a Master Certified Coach, through Coaches Training Institute, holds a BA and MSW from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is a licensed MBTI administrator and qualified to administer DISC and Strongs Interest Inventories.

Prior to coaching Nancy counseled patients and families in medical and hospice settings, and she utilizes her knowledge of illness, disease and chronic pain in her coaching. She is known for her compassionate yet tough style and a carpe diem attitude that is contagious. Nancy is a runner who regularly competes in races and triathlons. She and her pilot husband enjoy traveling and spending time with their four children.