Billie Shepard & Associates

Billie Shepard & Associates is a California-based public relations and communications firm that specializes in presentation coaching and speaker training. Founded in 1999, the firm brings a unique blend of professional acting and communication expertise to the corporate world. Based in California, United States, the company serves a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on the technology sector, helping executives, engineers, and other professionals become more effective and authentic communicators.

Services Tailored to the Technology and Corporate Sectors

Billie Shepard & Associates offers a range of services designed to improve public speaking and presentation skills. The firm’s approach is grounded in the techniques of professional acting, adapted for business contexts. Their primary service is customized speaker training workshops for corporate groups and private individuals. These workshops are particularly relevant for technology companies, where clear and compelling communication is essential for product launches, investor pitches, and internal leadership. The firm’s client list includes major names such as Facebook, Uber, Intuit, Thumbtack, Genentech, Rackspace, Seiler LLP, Cisco, Ericsson, Nokia, and Splunk, as well as legal firms like Morrison & Foerster and academic institutions like UCSC-Silicon Valley Extension and UC Berkeley Extension. This breadth of clients demonstrates the versatility of their methods across different professional settings.

Methodology: The Actor Within and Present Moment Awareness

The core methodology of Billie Shepard & Associates is centered on what founder Billie Shepard calls "Present Moment Awareness." This technique draws directly from her extensive background as a professional actor and acting coach. Billie Shepard holds a Masters of Theatre Arts from San Jose State University, and her M.A. thesis, The Actor Within: An Exploration of Present Moment Awareness in Business Presentations, outlines the application of acting techniques in business presentations. The firm’s team is multidisciplinary, comprising professional communicators, actors, writers, and trainers. They work with clients to achieve their most effective and authentic performance as speakers, focusing on presence, clarity, and connection with the audience. This approach is not about memorizing scripts but about being fully present and responsive in the moment, a skill that is highly valuable in high-stakes presentations and negotiations.

Key Specialties and Offerings

• Customized Speaker Training Workshops for corporate groups
• Private one-on-one presentation coaching
• Techniques derived from professional acting and theater
• Present Moment Awareness methodology for authentic communication
• Training for executives, engineers, financial analysts, and HR professionals
• Workshops tailored to the technology industry

Who Billie Shepard & Associates Is a Good Fit For

Billie Shepard & Associates is an excellent choice for professionals and organizations that need to improve their public speaking and presentation skills, especially those in the technology and corporate sectors. The firm is particularly well-suited for executives who deliver keynotes, engineers who must explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences, and any business communicator who wants to move beyond rote delivery to a more engaging and authentic style. Their methodology is also a strong fit for law firms, financial institutions, and startups looking to refine their pitch. With decades of experience and a proven track record with major clients, Billie Shepard & Associates offers a distinctive, performance-based approach to communication training that is both practical and transformative.