Heather Schultz
Becasuse youth matter
Greetings y’all! Thank you for clicking on my tab. This means we share the same passion…bring positive change to our world. Please allow me to introduce myself to you. My name is Heather Schultz and I currently live in Atlanta, GA. I’m not a Georgia Peach Native but have pleasantly adapted to the slow pace and charm of a southern lifestyle. The loaded question is always, “So how did you get started speaking?” I didn’t seek it out that is for sure. I didn’t even know what a keynote speaker was. I was born in Michigan and from an early age I always had the performing bug… singing, dancing, acting, and baton twirling. If there was a stage I was on it! I was the annoying kid who performed at every family gathering!
During high school I traveled with a performing arts troupe. We traveled all over the United States performing spreading a positive & uplifting message. One tour came through Atlanta and I met a man who was the president of a non-profit drug prevention agency. He and I instantly connected and kept in touch. I was in my sophomore year of college majoring in what else…theater and dance. My sister and I received a phone call from this gentleman offering us both jobs in Atlanta. His organization at that time was an adult only program and he wanted to bring youth into the picture.
We both accepted the jobs and moved to Atlanta. I knew I wanted to bring the performing arts into this new position. My job included auditioning young people from all over the nation to serve as youth trainers, writing workshops, planning and facilitating weekend retreats, and organizing an annual national conference. I wore many hats from workshop facilitator to conference planner. I was also responsible for hiring conference keynote speakers and that is where my horizons were broadened. I began to see keynote speakers on stage and in action and thought I would love to do that. My first professional conference keynote was in 1989 and I was hooked. I had found my passion and it felt amazing!
I really didn’t know where this “speaking thing” would take me so I went to school to become a paramedic and then went on to earn my nursing degree. I’m a R.N. and do work part-time leaving time for my speaking engagement. In 1991 I decided to start speaking professionally and on a full-time basis and haven’t looked back since!
I speak on leadership, personal power, anti-bullying, drug and alcohol prevention, positive choices, and achieving greatness. I’m silly, goofy, and have been known to embarrass my friends in public places! I’m passionate and love life. I believe I have found my purpose in life…changing lives!
Travels from: Georgia
Heather has worked with HBO, appeared in People Magazine, on numerous radio and television specials and has co-authored several books for young people. She has spoken in 47 states and 7 other countries including: Guatemala, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Europe, Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean Islands. She attended Central Michigan University and has a degree in the field of nursing. Heather is a nationally renowned expert on youth issues and a highly requested speaker that keeps her in constant demand.
Attitude is Everything!
Attitude is everything! Heather will inspire your students to simply “believe.” Believe in their ability to make a difference, achieve greatness, over-come obstacles, and exercise their individual power. Through personal stories, crowd interaction, humor and honesty, Heather provides students with the tools to live more powerfully.
Heather encourages students to adopt a winning attitude and to understand that because they matter—their decisions matter. A winning attitude comes from positive choices which will last a lifetime. Heather believes that every person deserves to feel worthy, respected and loved. Through personal stories and a strong anti-bullying message, students learn that an uplifting attitude changes lives. Students are inspired to take an inventory of their lives and leave motivated to exercise their personal power as a leader or simply as a person. Heather’s message touches lives and every audience walks away wanting more!
Live, Laugh & LEAD!
Warning…this workshop is only for people who like to laugh, interact, talk and never sit down! Participants will assess their leadership potential and learn the importance of leadership characteristics being applied to every day living. Participants leave ready to begin immediately using the skills learned and practiced during this workshop.
Got Courage?
Every person deserves to feel worthy, respected and loved. Heather will teach students how to create a school atmosphere where teasing and bullying is not accepted and not “cool”. This program introduces the concept at a school assembly then continues with 1-hour workshops in individual classrooms. (Role playing and anti-bullying strategies offered in classroom?)
Lights, Camera…Caution!
The media is a huge influence in our world. But what are those influences? Glamorizing alcohol, drugs, sex, and risky behaviors? The messages of prime time, magazines, movies and music are explored and strategies to NOT be easily influenced are presented. The web can be a scary place and we now live in a society where the computer invites social networking, cyber-bulling and predators into our homes! The goal of this workshop is to give the tools needed to keep young people safe and parents informed.
Where Do You Stand?
Taking the time to communicate with one another leads to better understanding of all people. Participants are presented scenarios and are given the opportunity to share their personal stance. They are then lead through a group discussion regarding each situation. Tolerance versus judgment is encouraged.