“As a speaking coach, Omar was superlative. He was always available on
my [crazy] schedule to work with me and provide his unique and amazing
insights. He is a coach in the truest sense of the word. Sincere. Forthright.
Tough. Encouraging. Above all of his own nature charisma and talent, Omar is
well aware that each speaker has unique characteristics that require a
specifically tailored approach, and he has a gift for bringing out the unique
voice and talents in each person he coaches. A coach like Omar with the
understanding and humility to accept that sometimes his input will be
disregarded is a rare person indeed. Nonetheless, I have every confidence that
if he suggests something based on his experience and ability, it'll probably
work well. I only wish that I would have taken all of his advice and feedback
to heart. If anybody can boost me the next season as a coach, it's Omar!”
- David Reed - Microsoft
“As a professional speaker I love to learn from other accomplished
speakers. I look to Omar Rivas as a stellar example of connecting with an
audience in a way that relaxes and inspires people. I highly recommend Omar to
anyone looking for incredible talent as coaching for professional speaking or
communication leadership.”
- Frank Selden - Selden Law Group
“Ever since the first time I saw him speak I have been impressed with
Omar’s stage presence, powerful prepared speeches, and his ability to give
impromptu speeches like very few others. He no doubt has what it takes to be a
professional speaker.”
- Sven Freitag - Microsoft
“I have been both inspired and educated by witnessing Omar's
presentations and facilitation abilities over the past several years. His champion-level achievements are well
deserved, most notably in speaking with compassion, touching the hearts of the
audience, bringing them to laughter one moment and tears the next. In addition, events such as contests are so
much more enjoyable when Omar is at the helm.
Omar's humor and personality shine through in all his
communications. Such qualities garner
fans and followers establishing Omar as a true leader. I believe every speaker should learn the
skills Omar exhibits in order to best connect with the audience.”
- Sandra L. Philbrook - City of Seattle
“Omar de Jesus Garcia Santiago Rivas, el primero understands the power
of connecting with an audience. He knows the meaning of commitment and the hard
work that is needed to become great public speaker.”
- Hideo Fujita - HF Comics
"It is a pleasure to speak of Omar's work as a speaker and coach.
I had the opportunity to hear him speak a few times and have always been
impressed with his humor and wit. He was also the coach at the Kirkland
Eclectics Toastmasters club for the Inspirational speech contest. It is his
energy and enthusiasm to speak and coach that led us to invite him to coach at
the Tween public Speaking workshop. He was an instant hit with the kids as well
as the parents. He kept everybody interested throughout the coaching sessions.
All the parents commended his work, the skills he provided were invaluable.
Besides enlightening the kids about the facts of the fear of public speaking
which is most common about tweens, he also talked about handling peer pressure,
building self confidence, overcoming nervousness, speech organization,
listening and memorization skills and much more. He seems to have a special
skill to relate well to children and adults. I have truly enjoyed my
interactions with Omar and look forward to working with him again in the near
future."
- Nirmala Kumar
“I have enjoyed knowing Omar and I continue to enjoy being in two of
the clubs Omar belongs to, partially because I know that I’ll get to share most
of those meetings with him. Omar adds a
lot of life to the meetings. Knowing Omar has been a fun experience, as well as
a learning experience. I have learned a
lot about his personal history, which he has woven into some of his speeches
and I hope to continue our friendship into the future. I’m proud to call him my
friend.”
- Mike Hayden
“Watching you prepare for the International Speech Contest was very
inspiring to me, as well as educational.
Having seen the speech several times and seeing the changes you
incorporated into it allowed me to see I still have a little ways to go in my
speaking career, but that it is something worth continuing to pursue. Additionally your positive outlook and
attitude makes it a pleasure to work with you at Toastmasters events. I sincerely hope that when I'm ready to move
to the "big stage" that I can count on you to coach and mentor me in
the right directions.”
- Belinda Kent - Costco Wholesale
"I met Omar during a Toastmaster’s session that was targeted for
the youth in early 2013. He had remarkable presentation skills that captured
everyone in the audience both young and old. He has a great way to elaborate
and explain ideas including using gestures and expressions which I thought
would be great for me. I had personal coaching sessions with Omar who was
extremely flexible with time and place - met me in my office at a convenient
time that worked for me. Omar is extremely personable and will work with you to
ensure that you improve at your pace. Great coach and speaker that I had the
pleasure to be with and would definitely recommend him for anyone at any skill
set – whether you think you are great or not, Omar will find ways to further
improve your speaking and presentation skills. The tools that Omar provided me
a year ago are still being used by me today!"
- Mohammed Versi - Vice President HTC America
“Omar is an excellent speaker but besides his speaking skills I value
his sincerity. When I listen to him I
know there is a real person behind the message.”
- Raul Munoz - REM Medical Equipment Services
“Omar is an expert communicator and coach. To watch him MC is a joy! To
receive one on one coaching from him is a privilege. He helped me with a key
presentation in multiple ways. He challenged me, inspired me and guided me to a
far better outcome that I would have achieved on my own. His methodology is
effective and fun. The insightful questions he asks you to ask yourself create
a perpetual learning/improving mindset long after the session us up.”
- Paul Goates - Cascade Business Group
“You make a difference to everyone you meet! When you speak we all sit
spellbound. You connect with us at a very deep level and you always leave us
with something we can take home.”
- Wayne Dutton - Alaska Copper Works
“I have known Omar through Toastmasters International, which I have
been a member for over 30 years. He impressed me with his communication skills,
his humor in presentation abilities, and his ability to connect with an
audience. If you ever need someone to speak on your companies behalf in a
delightful way, call on Omar. He will do a great job for you.”
- Norma Dart - Word Nerds
“Omar is a very talented speaker, with the ability to engage an
audience through a combination of superb speechwriting, exceptional speaking
skills, and a rare talent for connecting with each member of the audience. I have had the pleasure of watching him speak
many times, and have also benefited from his constructive comments and
suggestions on how to improve my own speeches.
Omar takes his craft seriously, and I would warmly recommend him as a
coach to anyone that wants to improve their public speaking.”
- Harald Horgen - President - The York Group International
"Omar and I have, over the
past 6 years, rivaled each other in the speaking arena. With the decision never
really being finalized over who's the better speaker, (though really we all
KNOW, right?). Both of us continue to find solace in speaking with humor,
motivating others, and helping others when we can through our own mentoring and
coaching. Oddly enough, our own friendly rivalry gave birth to our own
friendship, both on a professional and personal level. Omar was one of the
single, invaluable and resourceful minds in my life, who aided in my business
success in 2010, and will just naturally do the same with any business he comes
in contact with. Omar just gets it. What he "gets" is on so many levels
it's dizzying. What he delivers, is humor, attention to detail and business
objectives, motivation, drive, professionalism. You really can't deliver on
those things unless, like Omar, one spends a lifetime leading by
example."
- Brian Trendler - Owner, Trendesigns
“Omar has an amazing gift of
pointing out the best in people while offering insightful suggestions for
improvement. The suggestions are served
up with Omar's trademark delivery style that leaves the recipients feeling
excited and enabled! Coupled with his many leadership accomplishments, Omar is
a recognized inspirational and persuasive platform speaker.”
- John Bridge - T Mobile
“You've definitely made an impact on my presentation skills simply by
speaking at our club meetings. You have a very specific style, attitude and
delivery, which is unmistakable and easy to want to emulate.”
- Alex Marinov - Founder Tennisround
“I have always been inspired by Omar! I think he is one of the funniest
people I know and yet the guy can come up with an inspiring speech that can
bring tears to your eyes! I like that about Omar his specialty is both. Omar
has given great feedback for all speakers with his speaking experience. And for
myself Omar has pumped me up after listening to my speeches, which has helped
with building my confidence.”
- Nancy Laizure - GAIC
“You have definitely been a positive influence on me over the past
year. You have a warm and engaging
communication style. You have the
ability to make people feel good around you.
Your positive, can-do attitude is infections to people around you. However, above all else, your attribute that
has impacted me most is your work ethic.
Watching you prepare for the international speech contest last year was
truly inspiring. You were tireless in
your preparation activities giving speeches at clubs all over the area. I had the privilege of seeing you speak
multiple times during that period and each time you were taking the feedback
and molding your speech to a point of perfection. I have never seen anyone prepare a speech so
well. Thank you for your commitment to Toastmasters. The organization is a better one because of
your amazing contributions.”
- John Day - T-Mobile
"As somebody trying to address lifelong public speaking
nervousness I had the opportunity to be coached by Omar. In our initial meeting he helped me
understand the roots of my fear and the next day walked into a major public
speaking competition and won! With
further coaching I was able to refine and focus my message down to something
the audience wanted to hear every time.
This opened up many opportunities at work as I can now talk in front of
a group at a moment's notice, something I would previously aggressively avoid.
Thank you Omar ! I cannot recommend him
enough."
- Scott Clark - Microsoft
“Omar is the epitome of effective networking and relationship-building.
Not long after we met, he invited me to a networking event at which I made
several connections in two hours. With his successful climb to the World
Champion of Speaking stage, he elicited support from hundreds of Toastmasters
in the District, and has since become a mentor to many of them. Omar's ability
to connect is inherent in his proficiencies as a speaker and a leader.”
- Patricia Klingler - Explore Your Zing
