Why Choose Communication Partners?
What We Do
Communication Partners' mission is to help organizations reach their communication goals. Whether you have a specific communication problem to address, a long-term plan to improve communication throughout the firm, or a key person who will benefit from communication coaching – we will partner with your organization to achieve success.
How We Do It
Communication Partners begins each client relationship by understanding our clients’ needs and goals. Then we design a solution specific to your organization. If the solution involves training, we design that training using organization-specific material that you provide us prior to course development, to ensure that all participants understand how the principles and techniques they learn apply to their own work. If the solution involves writing or editing, we partner with subject matter experts in your organization to ensure that content is both technically accurate and effective. If the solution involves facilitation, consulting, or coaching, we guide your organization to make effective communication decisions. Communication Partners understands that for all of our clients, confidentiality is key; therefore, we routinely sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to starting a project.
Our Team
For the past 25 years, her commitment to improving communication has informed all aspects of her professional and personal life. As a professor at Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management, and as a consultant to business and not-for-profit organizations, Barbara has taught hundreds of students and professionals to be clearer and more strategic about what they say and how they say it.
A nationally recognized leader in business communication, Barbara has served as president of both the Association for Business Communication and the Association of Professional Communication Consultants. She is a frequent presenter at national and international conventions in communication and education, and has published numerous articles on workplace communication, training and curriculum development, and communication strategy.
Before earning an MA and PhD in English at Northwestern University, Barbara received a BA in English and Philosophy from Simmons College in Boston.
Dr. Barbara Shwom
Bringing a wealth of business, academic, training, and writing experience to Communication Partners; he has held senior executive positions in marketing, strategy, training, and technology in the managed fund, brokerage, venture capital, and private equity industries. Karl has developed and written business plans and private offerings for capital-raising and revenue growth, has led business teams on developing large-scale technology projects, and has a strong track record in negotiating bottom-line benefits and solving business problems.
Karl is also a dynamic speaker, presenter, and trainer, and has created and delivered dozens of seminars across a range of disciplines, including communication, negotiation, accounting, budgeting, investing, and technology. He taught English at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, and also worked as a journalist covering real estate development and finance. Karl co-authored How To Raise Capital: Preparing and Presenting the Business Plan (Dow-Jones Irwin), designated in 1990 by The Economist as one of top 500 business books published in the previous 20 years.
Karl holds an MBA in Finance/Marketing from Northwestern University, an MA in English, also from Northwestern University, and earned a BA in English from the Pennsylvania State University. He holds Series 7 and Series 24 security licenses from the National Association of Securities Dealers.
Karl Keller, MBA
The newest addition to our team, Nat is an eight year Army veteran, having held multiple leadership roles. His unique experience set provides him with a depth of knowledge in strategic communication, public speaking, planning, report writing, crafting technical procedures, and more.
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Since Starting with Communication Partners he has worked on a wide range of projects including multiple regulatory submissions and instructed in technical writing seminars.
Nat has also had corporate communication and presentation training, and has instructed dozens of clients on effective presentation techniques and style.
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Nat holds a BA in Economics from Brooklyn College.
Nat Keller
We also have a wide network of experts who join the team for specific projects.
Matthew Woolsey brings 20+ years of experience as a consultant, trainer, and certified executive coach (ICF credentials). His expertise is in the areas of communication (executive presence and content structure), leadership, and team development (including cross-cultural teams).
Matthew’s career spans the professional services sector (Learning & Development leader in management consulting), nonprofit as the Director of Leadership Programs, and higher education working in Student Affairs.
The recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from Washington State University, Matthew holds a bachelor’s in Communication (Broadcasting), a master’s in Education Administration, and a doctorate in Higher Education and Organizational Change.
Dr. Matthew Woolsey
