Presence. Listening. Connection.
Christy McDonald transforms leaders into the most powerful communicators in the room.
In an AI world, how you show up is your edge.
Trust, calm under pressure, and high stakes conversations. These are the skills I mastered in 27 years behind the anchor desk. As an Emmy Award winning journalist, I covered the big stories - from 9/11 in New York City to Detroit's bankruptcy, moderated two Gubernatorial debates, and became known for my in-depth interviews with Fortune 500 leaders.
Every room required me to read what was happening in real time, adjust my approach, and stay present enough to hear what wasn't being said.
Those are rare skills. And they're exactly what your leaders and teams need right now.
On keynote stages, in workshops, and inside your organization, I bring real world scenarios backed by research, with a little fun along the way. It's an immersive experience where everyone leaves with something they can put to work the very next day.
I help people understand themselves, understand each other, and walk away with the power to connect in every room they're in.
Let's work together.
Christy's Speaking Topics
Mastering the Art of Presence
Command Every Room, Lead Every Conversation
Presence isn't charisma. It's a skill and it's teachable. This keynote and facilitated session gives leaders practical, immediately applicable tools to project confidence under pressure, read any audience, and lead conversations that move people. Your leaders leave knowing exactly how they show up and how to make it work for them.
Perfect for: Leadership summits, executive development programs, sales teams, and organizations navigating change.
Heard vs. Understood: Strategic Listening for Leaders
The Most Underrated Leadership Skill Is Also The Most Powerful
The leaders who win aren't the ones who talk the most. They're the ones who listen the best. This keynote and facilitated session teaches leaders to hear what's actually being said, ask the questions that unlock real conversations, and build the kind of trust that makes people want to follow them.
Ideal for: Senior leadership teams, managers moving into executive roles, and organizations focused on retention and team performance.
Own Your Story: Leading with Authenticity
The Leaders People Follow Are The Ones Who Are Real
Authenticity isn't vulnerability. It's strategy. Leaders who know their story and know when to tell it build trust faster, navigate change more effectively and inspire loyalty that survives disruption. This keynote and facilitated session teaches leaders to own their narrative and use it deliberately, especially when the stakes are highest.
Essential for: Women's leadership initiatives, executives navigating transitions, and leadership teams building culture.
Let's talk about what your organization needs.
What People Say
"What an incredible experience having Christy McDonald onsite with our leadership team. Her expertise gave our team practical tools we can implement immediately - from refining delivery and presence to recognizing the subtle cues that drive successful interactions. We all walked away with actionable strategies."
Midge Davidson, CEO Central Data
"Christy McDonald challenged us to think differently about strategic listening, authentic presence, and asking questions that open doors instead of closing them. Grateful for the time to learn together and keep raising the bar for how we show up for our clients and each other."
Financial Architects Team
"Christy helped our newsroom sharpen presence, awareness, and live facilitation skills in ways that show up immediately on air. She’s especially effective in coaching journalists to navigate complex policy conversations with clarity and control."
Katy Locker, CEO Center For Michigan
"Detroit Economic Club moderators are expected to be at the top of their game when they interview Fortune 100 CEOs and government leaders. Christy has moderated several DEC events and I can simply say she is a pro’s pro. Christy keeps it real and gets to heart of the matter."
Steve Grigorian, CEO Detroit Economic Club
From Attendees:
"I honestly have rarely/never seen a presenter express herself so clearly and confidently."
"I saw the entire team fully engaged and interested. Her material was great but so was her interaction with us. The whole thing felt genuine."
"She was amazing, focused and customized the info to us, and so intuitive."
“Her generosity and authenticity made our audience of 250 family caregivers feel heard, seen and connected. She received a much-deserved standing ovation”
"I've never seen anyone read a room like that. She knew exactly what we needed to hear."
"Very helpful with great tips to encourage better conversation and connection."
"She was a dynamo. Versatile and knowledgeable. Fun and engaging."
"These aren't soft skills. They're the hardest skills to master. And right now, they're the most important ones a leader can have."
