Allison Shapira

Allison Shapira, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, focuses on the art and practice of public speaking. A former opera singer and diplomatic speechwriter, she is the CEO/Founder of Global Public Speaking LLC, a training company that helps people speak with confidence and authenticity in their speeches, presentations, and important conversations. She is a keynote speaker, trainer, and executive coach who designs training programs for multinational companies, nonprofit organizations, and the federal government. Through her work with organizations such as Vital Voices Global Partnership, she travels around the world teaching women leaders in developing countries, using communication training as a form of economic and political empowerment. She is a TEDx speaker and songwriter who performs worldwide and uses music to help others find their voice and their courage to speak.

She graduated from the mid-career MPA program at the Harvard Kennedy School and holds a bachelor’s degree in Italian Language and Literature, with a minor in Vocal Performance, from Boston University. She is a professional member of the National Speakers Association and the past president of the Harvard Kennedy School DC Alumni Council.

She is the author of the forthcoming book, The Leader’s Voice: A Handbook for Public Speaking and Presentation Skills, to be published by AMACOM, a division of the American Management Association. She has spoken at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Next Gen Summit and was recently named a finalist for 2017 Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners, San Diego Chapter. She lives in Washington, DC.