Allison Francis Barksdale

Personal Details

Bio

Allison Francis Barksdale is the CEO of RISE Leadership, LLC. She has more than 20 years of professional experience in personal & professional development, leadership training, strategic business planning, and service management. Allison started her career as a convention center manager and later ventured into entrepreneurship. She is a motivational speaker, trainer, and coach. Through her company, RISE Leadership, LLC, Allison inspires and empowers others to also RISE: Reach, Inspire, Serve, Elevate!

Her diverse experience includes running small businesses, government entities, and nonprofit organizations. Before starting RISE, Allison served as the Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Minority Business Strategic Alliance. As a contractor for the US DOT, Allison was instrumental in helping women and minority business owners expand economic opportunity by focusing on strengths and opportunities. “You have to know your strengths and build from there. It’s important to hold to the vision of what you want to see. As Wayne Dyer wrote, you have to believe it to see it. I believe it!”

Allison earned a dual degree from DePaul University, a BA in Communications and French. She also has an Executive MBA from Temple University along with numerous certifications in teaching, human resources, and board leadership. She currently volunteers as a director-at-large on the Temple University Alumni Association Board.

Allison is also known as the “Speak Up Guru,” because of her willingness to speak up, to live, and to lead authentically. Her interest in personal growth is not just what she does, it is who she is. She encourages everyone to fully know, love, and accept who they are. “It is the best way to honor this gift called life.”

Favorite Quote

'Find the good and praise it." - Alvin Ailey

Current position (1)

CEO / Speaker / Trainer / Coach

RISE Leadership, LLC

Achievements (1)

Toastmasters International Humorist Contest Winner 2018

Division Level - District 38

Degrees (2)

Executive MBA, Business Administration

Temple University - Fox School of Business and Management

1998 to 2000

BA Communications & French (Dual Major)

DePaul University

1982 to 1986

Presentations

Presentations (6)

IMPACT STARTS WITH "I"

This program is perfect for:
Professionals and managers, who want to lead with Impact and would benefit from support in shifting their mindset.

Newly promoted managers can also benefit from this program
In fact, all individuals who wish to increase their effectiveness can benefit from this program.

The audience will leave with:
A simple, effective tool for building IMPACT
A greater understanding of the organization's Big Picture and how to align their actions to make the greatest IMPACT.

Attendees will have an opportunity to focus on their strengths and values, their individual and collective impact; and the mutual benefits to everyone they serve.

Let the Leader in You Rise (Strive for Real Leadership)

This presentation can be adjusted to from 30 to 90 minutes depending on the need. Please contact me directly to request customization and to discuss your specific needs.

This purpose of this presentation is to expand the concept of leadership beyond a title to an attitude that stems from the choices we make in the workplace, in our community, and at home. Attendees will be given a wake call about to ignite their personal power to affect positive change. It is also designed to strengthen and grow the organization's base of leadership.

Real Leadership is centered on:
1. The Real You (awareness & acceptance of self-worth)
2. Real Connections (speaking, listening, and being present with others)
3. Real Commitment (to self and others, followed by action)
4. Real Rewards (the collective benefits that include inner peace, pride, engagement, productivity, success, ...).

The audience will better understand the role of leaders and how they can choose to lead in all areas of life.

EXECUTIVE PRESENCE - DO YOU HAVE "IT"?

Executive Presence – Do You Have “IT”?
How to Cultivate & Claim Your Leadership

This presentation will provide a foundation for understanding Executive Presence (EP), also referred to as the “IT,” “Wow,” or “Hidden” Factor. It will cover the role that Executive Presence plays in career advancement, business success, and its overall value

Executive Presence involves a composite of attributes (mindset and skill-set combined). For that reason, “IT” is not easily understood, especially by those in the early stages of their careers. Executive Presence is considered by many CEOs and top leaders as the key to their success. The good news is that Executive Presence is a skill you can learn and cultivate.

This presentation will address these 3 questions:
1. What is Executive Presence?
2. Why does it matter (WIIFM)?
3. How can you get “IT” and/or get more of “IT”?

Bonus – How your Social Media “presence” impacts your overall EP. (Caution: Your digital footprint matters!)

EXERCISE YOUR COURAGE TO SPEAK UP AND TO LISTEN

This program is perfect for:
Women Leaders on all levels
Women Entrepreneurs
Middle managers who are READY to RISE to the next level

The audience will leave with:
Actionable techniques to build confidence, executive presence, and connection when speaking and/or leading
A greater sense of one's personal leadership style with a focus on how values impact one's vision of success
An easy to remember formula to incorporate powerful communications into every leader's everyday interactions.
This program is specifically geared to empower women who want to Speak Up and RISE but is applicable to everyone who wants to take their career, business and leadership to the next level.

THE ABCS OF POWERFUL COMMUNICATION

This program is perfect for:
Conference participants who want to gain useful and actionable content to improve their speaking and listening skills
Message is well suited for managers and and aspiring leaders
Participants will learn how to communicate with Power and Confidence
For audiences of women, there is the option to cover cultural and gender differences that have traditionally impacted how women speak and how we can all use the language of success

The audience will leave with:
3 Simple Keys for Achieving Powerful Communications
How to effectively communicate, as a speaker and as a listener
How to use powerful communication to grow your leadership

IS IT TIME TO TAKE A JOY RIDE?

This program is perfect for:
Company retreats and celebrations
All staff levels, especially management
Designed for high-achieving individuals who are experiencing burnout and/or need help finding work/life balance

The audience will leave with:
An understanding of the Science of Happiness and the Role of the Joy Advantage in fueling accomplishments
How to live everyday with less stress and more joy
How to recognize the call for help when it is merely a whisper before it erupts into deafening, destructive roar
How to make conscious choices that result in joyful, harmonious living and working