Valeri Furst

 For over 24 years, Valeri Furst has counseled and trained people to become more compelling speakers. Using her skills as a former reporter and lawyer, she works with clients to help them become as effective and persuasive as possible in a variety of settings including media interviews, formal presentations, meetings, and courtroom appearances. Her specialty is helping people to stay on message in the face of difficult questioning whether facing a reporter with a microphone or a tough audience.

Valeri has conducted hundreds of training sessions and her client list includes high level executives from both corporate and non-profit organizations, politicians, school districts, and public relations personnel. She works very closely with Burges and Burges Strategists, a strategic planning and consulting firm based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Valeri worked as an anchor/reporter in the broadcast media for over 16 years, providing her with unique insight and understanding of the working media. She has been employed in Los Angeles, Syracuse, New York, Connecticut and Cleveland, Ohio.  She holds a JD from Case Western Reserve University Law School and practiced at the former Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in Cleveland specializing in labor and employment law.  Valeri was also an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University Law School for 13 years teaching a course in leadership and communication skills.   i