Testimonials for Chery Gegelman & Giana Consulting

Speaking, Facilitating, Consulting, Service

Giana Consulting

Our Mission is to help you accomplish YOUR Mission.    

Years after keynotes and workshops:  Participants remember messages and share how they are leveraging what they learned.

Don’t just take our word for it.  Check out what others are saying in their testimonials below:


Speaking & Facilitating

Chery, Today was a hit! You were a delight and commanded the attention of all. We’ll be a better company. The feedback has been fantastic! Thank you for sharing your time with us. Teresa Knox
CEO – Community Care College, Clary Sage College, OK Technical College
Chery, God has blessed you with some crazy skills. You got it going on. You are poised, you think on your feet, you instantly connect, and you add loads of value. It was a pure pleasure to work with you! Dr. Bob Schooley
Director of Leadership Development - Cherokee Nation Business
I’ve had the privilege of participating in one of Chery’s programs recently. I was awestruck by the unique ability she possesses to successfully facilitate in-depth discussions within groups of strangers from culturally and historically opposing viewpoints. Chery is a great facilitator, communicator, listener, instructor, counselor and mentor with a passion for truth and real problem solving!Jaynia Samaroo
Chery went above and beyond for us and our students. Her presentation captivated our students and teachers.  (While sharing personal experiences and current information about life in Saudi Arabia, she emphasized critical life skills. Which motivated them to consider the limits of their comfort zones, think critically, solve problems and recognize the humanity of others.)  Chery is a pleasure to work with and  a great facilitator. I give her my highest endorsement.Kevin Hoherz
Principal, Beulah High School, Beulah, ND
Chery Gegelman is someone whose very fiber exists to exceed the expectations of every stakeholder and always deliver a quality experience. She has made an immense difference, always giving more than she takes. L.S. and R.W.
I had the pleasure of observing Chery facilitate a planning session for a local government entity in the fall of 2012. I was immediately impressed by the combination of clear direction and explanation, confidence and gentle humor with which she guided a room of power players. Her questions were insightful and enabled this group of diverse individuals to bring their best thinking and dialogue to bear on the issues before them.

Following this event, we contracted Chery to facilitate a discussion on the topic of innovation with one of our key clients. Again, she was spot on, giving life to an agenda that could have, in less skilled hands, fallen flat. Rob Benson
Lead Consultant, Learning Unlimited Corporation

I have been fortunate to attend Chery’s events, where she has unreservedly welcomed all forms of opinions. She has brought people of different mindsets and encouraged them to admit their deepest fears and apprehensions.  At the end, they have all left feeling inspired, energized and loved. Her patience, her empathy, her desire for truth and her noble intention to help people become compassionate human beings, are important elements which are direly needed in today’s world that portrays the darkness of fear and intolerance. With her comes the sunshine of peace and tolerance in much abundance.Tanya Badami

I attended Chery’s daylong Freedom retreat on bridging communications with people who are culturally different from you. She is an excellent facilitator with thought provoking questions that challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and think differently about your pre-conceived ideas of the world. I loved her positive attitude, candor and humor in presenting humanity in a Christ-like way that motivates and inspires people to conquer their fears and reach out with confidence to help people of all nationalities. Rose Laning

I have had the privilege of witnessing Chery Gegelman’s work a number of times involving community mediation, personal development workshops and building community spirit amongst a large group of multinational expats. Chery’s respect for the individual, her calm approach, wisdom, ability to provide solutions and passion for continuous improvement is inspiring. Chery has a remarkable ability to connect with people, motivate and inspire them. My daughter attended one of Chery’s workshops for teenagers which was very beneficial in helping her set goals and work toward achieving them. Thanks Chery for offering your encouragement and inspiration wherever it is needed.Susan Turner
Gifted speaker and communicator only partially describe Chery’s skills and abilities. As Chery addresses her audience, one gets the distinct impression that she makes listening and speaking one fluid process. This style of engagement has a way of putting her audience at ease,which allows them to actively engage. Additional words I would use to describe Chery are: bridge-builder, truth bearer, confidence holder, active listener and trustworthy. Chery has a heart for helping and reaching out to others in a way to makes them feel valued and significant. Time spent with Chery will challenge you to acknowledge and expand your worldview.Sonia McFarlane
Chery has great leadership and problem solving skills, very fair and honest, in many situations I saw how she was capable of bringing different people together. I love the positive atmosphere she creates and it’s really contagious to each and everyone around.Reham Fouad

Learn More About Our Keynotes & Workshops Here

Chery is a fantastic presenter, motivator and all around wonderful person… I have had the opportunity to witness her skills and I was very impressed by her ability to capture the attention of a large diverse audience. Not only was she able to keep their focus but she was able to convince them of the vision she was talking about. Chery, would be a fantastic asset to any organization seeking someone of her caliber.Richard Bergner
General Manager at Richardson Brothers Chevrolet & Polaris
Ms. Gegelman gave an excellent presentation and has impacted my life in a very powerful and positive way. Juanita Muiga
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
I met you several years ago when I was teaching at _____. We heard several speakers in the 11-1/2 years before my retirement last year. Almost all of them felt contrived and a waste of time.

Not yours. Your talks and encouragement left a lasting impact on me. I always felt your sincere, honest and heartfelt desire to help us work as a team and strive to do our best in that fractured environment. C.C.

Reaffirmed that there is a need for change, no matter the current culture in your workplace and that change can evolve given the right tools. Tony Rivera
Renaissance Tulsa Hotel
My class found your information insightful and especially helpful in processing their experience. They all mentioned that their future planning will include your wisdom and they stated that their newfound awareness of the natural processes you outlined will help them retain their positions, maximize their outcomes, and offer support to those in their circle of care. Parish McDaris
Employment, Essentials Training Instructor - Goodwill Industries
If there is one person who knows how to work a crowd, it’s Chery! I have had the honor of working with Chery on two leadership events that consisted of panel discussions and Chery served as the wonderful facilitator. Not only was she professional, well-spoken and poised, but her connection with the audience members was outstanding! I received many compliments from guests after the event about how much they enjoyed her! Ashley Farthing
Owner, Farthing Events
Conference question and answer sessions thrive or die based on the facilitator’s ability to be professional, prepared and perky! Chery Gegelman does an excellent job of using all three qualities to put the audience at ease, engage them in meaningful dialogue while keeping the conversation on topic! Barbara Slagle
Tulsa Community College
Chery Gegelman Keynotes and Workshops

 Consulting

In the past 2 years I have witnessed and experienced Chery’s phenomenal skills in problem solving, helping others with personal growth and conflict resolution. Chery possesses a rare talent that helps empower people professionally and personally. Showing second to none skills in the art of conflict resolution including bridging cultural, religious and personal differences to come to an effective outcome for all involved. Chery’s talents would be of benefit to any organisation or persons wishing to find tools to promote themselves and tap their full potential. Can not recommend this lady highly enough.Nicky Sporer
International Housing Compound Resident
The culture here is classist, sexist, racist. You helped to break down those walls with love, truth, fairness and respect for all. JS
You handle everything with such aplomb! NF
Giana Consulting successfully completed a complex study on the establishment of a new training facility for the community college system in our state. It was done on time and on budget and exceeded our expectations. She is a true professional and was a pleasure to work with. John Spain
Executive Vice President, Baton Rouge Area Foundation
I have had the opportunity to work with Chery Gegelman for a number of years now, as an associate and more recently as a client. I continue to be impressed with her ability to form and lead a team or project and with her ability to maintain her strong values along the way.  She can see maximum potential in a project when very few others can and executes. Whether it is refining existing business practices or creating something entirely new she has the drive and experience to make things happen.  She is responsible for the origination and development of some of our most successful initiatives, many of which have become an important part of our daily operation. Chery’s ability to read people and to read a situation is clearly exceptional and it is obvious to me that her success stems in large part from these strengths, time and time again. Faced with a new opportunity or a need to refine and existing one, Chery would be my first choice to make things happen.D.K.
Chery is a big picture, strategic thinker who understands the importance of relationships in making things happen. Her work with our Workforce Investment Board has demonstrated that once she has a vision, she can identify what needs to be done and motivate others to work as a team. Chery is a natural and skilled leader whom others are happy to follow.Debbie O'Connor
Executive Director at Up Alliance (formerly Greater Baton Rouge Literacy Coalition)
It was a pleasure working with Chery to provide organization wide training for Goodwill Industries of Tulsa. Her command of the subject matter in combination with her enthusiasm and communication style engaged the audience and provided for a very effective training session despite the diverse nature of the attendees. Just as importantly, Chery has regularly stayed in touch with Goodwill Industries of Tulsa since the training to monitor progress and provide additional insights. She truly cares and is committed to improving the organization. David E. Oliver
President - Goodwill Industries of Greater Tulsa
Many of the projects Chery has been involved in required multiple departments with agendas that were not always aligned to work together. In those situations I always saw Chery work diligently to bring the different members of the team together. Making sure to include everyone’s point of view to ensure a collaborative outcome, and speaking up for the soft-spoken if need be to make sure that everyone’s viewpoint is expressed. R.M.
Delivers truth and insight into many issues, not only in a business context but also on a personal level. Makes you reflect and think on your own approach to issues and assists with developing strategies and finding ways to implement these in many modalities of day to day life. Considers things holistically to ensure all information is gathered, from every level, individual and thoroughly disseminated to reach a positive outcome.Trish Sinclair
International Housing Compound Resident
Chery is a voice of reason in the midst of dysfunction. RK
Chery is an inspiration to those that work with her.  She gives her all to ensure that organizations and their people learn to work together to achieve amazing results.  Working with her is a life-changing experience. Rachel D. Hutchings
Tulsa Area Workforce Investment Board

Service

Chery  brings energy and excitement to every opportunity.  She is strategic in her ability to see the big picture and also humble enough to jump in wherever needed and make things happen. She does everything with excellence, focusing on her client’s best interests, cheerfully but also truthfully without compromise. Mike Henry
VP Operations - SageNet LLC

Chery inspired and motivated us to: listen intently, think broader, laugh louder, care deeply, expect excellence, celebrate success, learn from mistakes, accept challenges, embrace changes, cherish friendships, value values, speak with conviction, believe in others, believe in ourselves, seek knowledge, be enthusiastic, challenge inequity, persevere, problem-solve, spread joy, be playful, cry openly, and accept differences.K.A.

To learn more about booking Chery for your next event

Send an email to:  chery@consultgiana.com

 

Giana Consulting

Churches and Faith-Based Groups

Fear Not and Go!  Seek the Whole Truth and Love

Background:  We said we’d move ANYWHERE in the world “EXCEPT “there“.  Then we received an invitation to move to that one place we didn’t want to go. Saying yes to life there meant giving up:  How we would worship, certain foods, and entertainment; and that as a woman – I would give up my right to choose what I would wear in public and how I would travel.

We are all Ambassadors

In this engaging keynote or workshop – You will get a taste of what we:

  • Witnessed
  • Experienced
  • Learned

And leave equipped with Biblical tools to connect with anyone that doesn’t share your faith or values.

*This is not a liberal or conservative message.  It is a message that encourages the balance of truth seeking AND love.

Gifted speaker and communicator only partially describe Chery’s skills and abilities. As Chery addresses her audience, one gets the distinct impression that she makes listening and speaking one fluid process. This style of engagement has a way of putting her audience at ease, which allows them to actively engage. Additional words I would use to describe Chery are: bridge-builder, truth bearer, confidence holder, active listener and trustworthy. Chery has a heart for helping and reaching out to others in a way to makes them feel valued and significant. –Sonia McFarlane

View More Testimonials Here

CALL NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Giana Consulting

Students

As a Hiring Manager, a former Career Services Director, and a former Recruiter – I’ve coached thousands of teens, college graduates and adults through the struggle to choose between opportunities and their comfort zones.

Pop Your Bubble

And as someone that has relocated multiple times within the U.S., and then to a land that I once feared… I know both the struggle and the growth that come from living outside of our familiar bubbles.


Beyond Your Bubble

A 2-hour workshop that leverages stories from Saudi Arabia while emphasizing critical life skills that your students need.  Young men and women will acquire current information about another culture while learning to embrace discomfort, think critically, problem solve and become more compassionate.  Our students were fixated on Chery’s words!

Chery gave one of the most interesting presentations I have ever heard. Our students were fixated on Chery’s words! They knew that this was REAL life; someone who had truly experienced veering out of their own comfort zone by encountering life in another country. She communicated with the kids in such a manner that they were genuinely engaged. As a teacher, I was so impressed with Chery’s dedication and passion. It is evident that she has a genuine care and compassion for people, especially our youth. Chery is very personable and her compassion shines through. Her kind and supportive approach drew the students out of their own comfort zone, seeking answers to questions they had.-Bev Frank
Geography Teacher, Beulah, ND

View More Testimonials Here


CALL NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Giana Consulting

 

 

Workplace

People in the Workplace

FOR:  COMPANIES that really want the word EMPOWERMENT to be more than wallpaper

PEOPLE that want to make a greater difference…

  Learn to Lead Change: With or Without a Title!  How to lead change without a title

Are you convinced that you and your team are capable of making a bigger difference?  …For each other?  …For your organization?  …For your community?  Do you dream of working for an organization that is committed to Character-Based Leadership?  But you’re concerned that you don’t have the position or power to make change happen?

I’ve been where you are.  And learned to lead system-wide change from the middle and the edge of the organizations I served in.  This keynote and workshop provides real examples and strategies for learning to lead change right where you are.

Or are you a titled leader that wants to make empowerment a greater reality in your organization?   But struggling to convince your employees that they really have your permission to think, speak and act?

I can help!  I’ve worked in organizations that really wanted to empower their people and in those that didn’t.  And there are real but removable roadblocks in both!  Learning how to recognize and remove those barriers for your people will create results that will exceed your wildest expectations!  (Customer Satisfaction, Employee Engagement, Revenue…)

Chery, Today was a hit! You were a delight and commanded the attention of all. We’ll be a better company. The feedback has been fantastic! Thank you for sharing your time with us. Teresa Knox
Founder and Former CEO – Community Care College, Clary Sage College, OK Technical College

View More Testimonials Here


 After the event:  

  1. Your team will know they matter.  (And so do the people next to them!)
  2. They’ll know how important their knowledge, experience and perspectives are – and have new reasons to seek out the knowledge, experience and perspectives of others.
  3. And they’ll leave with increased energy, new strategies and the desire to make a greater difference.

CALL NOW TO LEARN MORE!  

Giana Consulting

CONVERSATION Safari Workshops

Our shaking world desperately needs us to learn how to dialogue, research, think critically, collaborate and problem solve WITH those that think differently than we do.

Conversation Safari Logo

A CONVERSATION Safari  provides that uncommon opportunity by merging the adventure of a real Safari with a Conversation.

Conversation Safari

WHAT IS A CONVERSATION Safari?

  • A group of participants from opposing viewpoints attend a workshop together.
  • Each one chooses to bring a spirit of curiosity instead of judgment.
  • In small groups, each one takes turns listening to others and then sharing their stories and convictions.
  • Participants leave those conversations and examine their own hearts and motives, and dive into history to learn from the past.
  • And then come back to share what they’ve learned and seek to better understand.

Transforming judgment and division into an adventure that fuels problem solving.

“Getting to know each other on the human level can make a world of a difference!” Madiha B. Zaidi
Houston, TX
“This was an extraordinary learning experience.”Paula Langellier
Montgomery, TX
Thank you for organizing an event where people can focus and agree on how to disagree in a respectful and civil manner. When I came my focus was how different we all are. When I left, I realized how many similar fears and concerns we share.”Nazish Dawoodally
Sugarland, Texas
I confess that I’m the sort of person that gravitates towards my own tribe.  I consciously seek out interactions with people that I perceive to be like me and I imagine that most people are like this.  Going where they fit in.

The safaris have broken down those barriers.  They have allowed me to rub my mind with the minds of women from very diverse backgrounds.  I’ve come away knowing that I can have a deep sisterly bond with a lady from a completely different cultural, religious or racial makeup.

Please see Mark 12:30 – 31.  CONVERSATION Safaris have helped me to actually SEE my neighbor as myself, thereby making it much easier to love my neighbor as myself.  Thereby helping me to fulfill one of the greater commandments.

Thank you for creating this amazing platform. It gives us an opportunity to share in a way that we would not ordinarily be able to.CH
A Frequent CONVERSATION Safari Participant from Zimbabwe


BENEFITS OF ATTENDING CONVERSATION Safaris

CONVERSATION Safaris give participants the opportunity to:

  • Listen
  • Ask Why
  • Share Their Knowledge
  • Increase Understanding
  • Develop People Skills
  • Sharpen Truth Seeking and Critical Thinking Skills
  • Improve Conflict Resolution Skills
  • Enlarge Their Worldview
  • Build Relationships

Attendees often comment about how much exercise their brain gets during these workshops, and about the energy and hope they leave with.  (New perspectives,  laughter, tears, personal change, teamwork and greater understanding are all part of the experience.)

…All of which make it possible to resolve the issues that are shaking workplaces, communities, nations and our world.

I have been fortunate to attend CONVERSATION Safari’s, where Chery has unreservedly welcomed all forms of opinions. She has brought people of different mindsets and encouraged them to admit their deepest fears and apprehensions.

At the end, they have all left feeling inspired, energized and loved. Her patience, her empathy, her desire for truth and her noble intention to help people become compassionate human beings, are important elements which are direly needed in today’s world that portrays the darkness of fear and intolerance. With her comes the sunshine of peace and tolerance in much abundance. TB
A Frequent Participant from Pakistan/Australia

This is exercise for my brain. DK
A frequent participant from Tunisia
I no longer feel alone. GN
CONVERSATION Safari Participant from Egypt

HISTORY BEHIND CONVERSATION Safaris:

I’m a recovering opinionista that used to really struggle with those that didn’t share my values.

As a child, I would passionately argue my convictions and not listen to those that did not share my opinions.  (Because they were simply wrong!)

As a young professional, I thought it was horribly rude for people to roll their eyes in disagreement – While failing to understand that the shaking of my head as others spoke – screamed how wrong they were. (And emphasized how unwilling I was to listen.)

Somewhere along the way, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror, and I didn’t like what I saw. So I began to listen more and talk less.

Along the way I heard personal stories from people who had opposing views about some of the values that I hold most dear. Their stories caused me to deeply ponder what it was like to walk in their shoes.

And a dream began to form.

In 2012 I agreed to move to a part of the world that I had once feared.  A month later, I shared that dream with others for the first time.  A few years later that dream became a reality when women from around the world attended the first Conversation Safari Workshop.

I’ve had the privilege of participating in Chery’s programs. I am awestruck by the unique ability she possesses to successfully facilitate in-depth discussions within groups of strangers from culturally and historically opposing viewpoints. Chery is a great facilitator, communicator, listener, instructor, counselor and mentor with a passion for truth and real problem solving!JS
A Frequent CONVERSATION Safari Participant from Jamaica

I enjoy Conversation Safaris because they give me a sense of comfort and a great amount of understanding. When I express my opinion I do not fee judgment. CONVERSATION Sari’s help me look at the world from another direction. ME
A Frequent CONVERSATION Safari Participant from Sudan

WHAT’S THE AGENDA?

CONVERSATION Safaris are not liberal or conservative.  They are designed to help participants BALANCE the use of both their brain AND their heart.  Resulting a dialogue that is fueled by critical thinking AND compassion.

In every Safari:  

  • Some people start on an uninformed fence, and end up with an informed opinion.
  • Others start with one perspective and end with another.
  • And still others find that their hearts are greatly softened toward those that hold a different opinion, even though their minds still hold many of their original views.
  • Attendees leave with increased understanding, energy and hope.
I feel much lighter.MB
A frequent CONVERSATION Safari Participant from Germany
Always so heartwarming….the way you speak and explain things, I always go away with a good, warm, fulfilling feeling.FB
A Frequent CONVERSATION Safari Participant from South Africa

To learn more contact Chery:

Giana Consulting