Clients & Testimonials
"Training and developing my executives is a constant focus to which I give much attention. That task comes with many challenges such as the responsibility of inspiring the executives and motivating them to consistently inspire their respective teams. It was my desire for my executives to experience true inspiration and motivation that led me to seeking the communication and coaching expertise of Mark Edgar Stephens.
Mark was able to focus, reinvigorate and motivate us. In each area where there was a perspective reflecting a belief of impossible or 'too hard to accomplish,' he awakened a perspective of possibility. Mark facilitated a practical, yet powerful, seminar that aligned the team's values, both personal and professional in order to create better productivity in our work environment. His passion and enthusiasm allowed him to over-deliver in our personalized workshop experience; resulting in a feeling from the executive team that we can accomplish more, make work more meaningful, and, most importantly, maintain the desire to deliver better results. Thank you Mark!”
Craig Villarrubia
Regional Manager of Customer Loyalty, West Coast, Bloomingdales
Mark was able to focus, reinvigorate and motivate us. In each area where there was a perspective reflecting a belief of impossible or 'too hard to accomplish,' he awakened a perspective of possibility. Mark facilitated a practical, yet powerful, seminar that aligned the team's values, both personal and professional in order to create better productivity in our work environment. His passion and enthusiasm allowed him to over-deliver in our personalized workshop experience; resulting in a feeling from the executive team that we can accomplish more, make work more meaningful, and, most importantly, maintain the desire to deliver better results. Thank you Mark!”
Craig Villarrubia
Regional Manager of Customer Loyalty, West Coast, Bloomingdales
"The world of business is notorious for acknowledging individuals who seem to use smoke and mirrors to portray their success; one only has to dig deeper to discover the facade. Mark Edgar Stephens' success is real on many levels. To me, a true leader is someone who can get the job done along with the efforts of other people who gladly and confidently follow. Mark's leadership is not the "old school" method of dictating, controlling, and policing. Rather, he has a magical way of inspiring and encouraging people around him to sign on to whatever it takes to get the job done.
I have hired Mark on several occasions, for a multitude of projects, and he delivers every single time. As a coach and motivational speaker, he is spot on. In addition to those skills, I find Mark to be humble, focused, and funny. How many people can say that about the people they work with and work for? Lastly, as a leader Mark is one of those rare few who understands the value of continued personal growth. His quest for knowledge is marked with humility and passion --- what a gift. Mark is a sincere pleasure to be around, and he goes out of his way to bring everyone up to his level of focus and passion."
Winn Claybaugh
Dean, Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Schools
Author of "Be Nice (Or Else!)"
I have hired Mark on several occasions, for a multitude of projects, and he delivers every single time. As a coach and motivational speaker, he is spot on. In addition to those skills, I find Mark to be humble, focused, and funny. How many people can say that about the people they work with and work for? Lastly, as a leader Mark is one of those rare few who understands the value of continued personal growth. His quest for knowledge is marked with humility and passion --- what a gift. Mark is a sincere pleasure to be around, and he goes out of his way to bring everyone up to his level of focus and passion."
Winn Claybaugh
Dean, Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Schools
Author of "Be Nice (Or Else!)"
"We called Mark in to do a two-hour presentation skills training with our team. While most of the team wasn’t terribly excited at the thought of presenting in front of their peers and managers, I can honestly say that it ended up being their favorite part of a two-day in person team meeting. Mark was warm and welcoming from the moment he entered the room and disarmed all of us with his charm, professionalism and contagious excitement for the subject matter he was teaching. We each left inspired, educated and with a level of awareness about ourselves that we were able to put into practice immediately. Mark knows his stuff- that is obvious from the get-go- and is able to impact small nuggets of insight that make a world of difference to each person he interacts with. My favorite aspect of our time with Mark was that he called upon each person in the room equally; no one was singled out or exempt from contributing. This made everyone feel as though they were on an even playing field and that each person had something to learn and contribute."
Molly Fast
Operations Director, Event 360, Inc.
Molly Fast
Operations Director, Event 360, Inc.
"Mark is an extraordinarily gifted communicator and coach. He trained several of our Board members to do more effective public speaking about our organization, giving all of them greater confidence in their skills and abilities. Mark also led a leadership retreat for one of our volunteer groups and helped them reach consensus on some difficult issues. He has a unique ability to connect with individuals and help them reach their potential as communicators and advocates. Anyone who works with him will be transformed by the experience."
Emma Cherniavsky
Deputy Development Director, Human Rights Watch
"As Co-Chair of the Women's Rights Committee of Human Rights Watch, I have had the pleasure of working with Mark during our annual leadership retreat a number of times. Mark coached us through a number of important discussions, including our goals, leadership transition, membership recruitment, failures and successes. Mark was well-prepared and did a great job facilitating the discussion among a group of people most of whom he had not met before.
Barbara Silberbusch
Co-Chair of the Women's Rights Committee of Human Rights Watch
Emma Cherniavsky
Deputy Development Director, Human Rights Watch
"As Co-Chair of the Women's Rights Committee of Human Rights Watch, I have had the pleasure of working with Mark during our annual leadership retreat a number of times. Mark coached us through a number of important discussions, including our goals, leadership transition, membership recruitment, failures and successes. Mark was well-prepared and did a great job facilitating the discussion among a group of people most of whom he had not met before.
Barbara Silberbusch
Co-Chair of the Women's Rights Committee of Human Rights Watch
"Mark has been a major catalyst for individual professional insight and organizational growth at Upward Bound House. Mark has been the featured presenter at the agency's annual staff retreat for the past three years. He is instantly engaging: his high-energy, interactive style resonates with the team and results in inspirational - and aspirational - outcomes. For any organization that wants a highly motivated team, Mark can unleash and focus the collective can-do!"
David Snow
Executive Director, Upward Bound House
David Snow
Executive Director, Upward Bound House
"Mark spoke at our CalCPA Forensic Section meeting in Oakland, CA to address body language communications for expert witnesses in a court room environment. His ability to engage the attendees to express their fears and insecurities and his guidance to minimize our body language so our testimony on the facts is conveyed was outstanding. Absolutely outstanding people person and motivator to perform your best in all relationship circumstances. We will definitely invite him back again."
Lynda Schauer
Principal at Zivetz, Schwartz, Saltsman CPAs
Lynda Schauer
Principal at Zivetz, Schwartz, Saltsman CPAs
"I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with Mark Edgar Stephens on both a personal and business level for many years. Mark puts his heart into helping people and he truly wants them to have a better life. Mark has an incredible arsenal of techniques and tactics in his toolbox to help bring about change. If one technique doesn't work he tries another and another until the desired goal has been accomplished. Some coaches work off of a template, but not Mark. His assignments are personalized and are directed at making whatever change needs to happen. If you are looking to make positive changes in your life, I highly recommend working with Mark."
Dr. Wendy M. Schauer, D.C., R.K.C.
Recipient of the 2005 Women of Achievement Award
Founder & Owner of Community Chiropractic & Abundant Fitness Center
Dr. Wendy M. Schauer, D.C., R.K.C.
Recipient of the 2005 Women of Achievement Award
Founder & Owner of Community Chiropractic & Abundant Fitness Center