Biography

Timidly, at first, she dipped her toes into the pool of small talk. But, Fine soon realized that conversation, like most things in life, comes easier with practice.

Now the formerly shy, tongue-tied “enginerd” is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, corporate motivational speaker, trainer. and bestselling author.

A former engineer, Debra Fine established her Denver-based company The FINE Art of Small Talk to teach all variety of C-Level, manager and stake holder, along with the spouse who is dragged along to banquets and meetings conversation skills for use at business networking events, conventions and meetings, trade shows, as well as when interacting with clients, customers, and patients. Fine studied the art of conversation as diligently as she had once studied engineering.

A member of the National Speakers Association Fine receives high accolades from her clients, which include Cisco Systems, Wells Fargo Banks, Hinckley, Allen and Snyder LLP, Spectra Energy, The US Treasury Department, Toyota, the University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business, Lockheed Martin, Vermont Law School and hundreds of associations including insurance, real estate, legal, financial, engineering/technology, health care, and Chambers of Commerce and civic organizations across the country. Debra is also a member of Rotary International serving on the board of her club during her membership over the past 18+ years. In addition she is a past member of the Advisory Council of the University Of Colorado School Of Engineering, Mountain States Anti-Defamation League and the Communities Advisory Council of the Junior League.

Debra authored the best selling books The Fine Art of Small Talk How to Start a Conversation, Keep it Going, Build Rapport and Leave a Positive Impression (Hachette) and the most recent in the Fine Artseries: The Fine Art of Big Talk: How to Win Clients, Deliver Great Presentations, and Solve Conflicts at Work (Hachette). Debra’s recent media appearances include The Today Show, CNN, The Early Show, and NPR Morning Edition. She currently travels the country as a corporate motivational speaker.

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Debra presents keynote speeches and programs for corporations and associations nationally and internationally that combine humor and interactions offering concrete skills and tools. Her keynote presentations and workshops offer attendees the ability to develop and cultivate outstanding conversation skills, mingling tips and business networking techniques that result in meeting new people, recruiting new prospects, gaining visibility, increasing referrals, enhancing customer/client interaction and developing and growing successful organizations. Debra teaches conversation techniques, business networking tips, mingling skills to help leaders, groups and stakeholders’ alike reach new levels of achievement and does so in an entertaining, informative and interactive manner.

Testimonials

We heard many great comments about your educational program. Let me give you a few examples: - Bring Debra back next year! She’s great! All the information she discussed can be used in personal life, as well as professional life. - Debra was a great speaker. She kept it fun, exciting, and interesting. I learned a lot! - Speaker was excellent! Thank you for bringing her!
– Texas Dental Association
Your workshop had immediate results – our Specialists walked out of the classroom with more confidence in their communication skills and a better understanding of how to strengthen customer relationships. You did a great job of tailoring the presentation to our specific needs. Your ability to address the communication objectives of our employees made believers out of a potentially skeptical group of people.
– US Department of Transportation
It is rare that someone in a short period of time can have such a great impact on a group. You accomplished this feat extremely well. Demonstrating conversational skills and techniques that build rapport and relationships in both social and business situations is key to success. You gave all of us a learning gift in a meaningful, humorous, and creative way.
– AmerUs Group
Thanks so much for your wonderful keynote presentation at the TSTCI Accountants/Bookkeepers meeting last week. It was a great way to start the day’s sessions. It really got everyone’s energies flowing for the rest of the meeting. It’s hard to believe you were ever an engineer!
– Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
Your presentation, while delivered in a very humorous and light manner, provided us with very valuable guidelines and suggestions to enable our sellers to better communicate with their clients. It was a pleasure to meet you and have you address our group.
– Dispatch Broadcast Group
Your presentation at lunch on Saturday was interesting, helpful, and very well-received. Several partners commented to me how much they enjoyed your presentation, and how useful they felt it was to them personally. Engaging an “after-lunch” group of attorneys is difficult enough on any given day, but accomplishing it in a setting like Beaver Creek on a Saturday is truly amazing! The fact that we lost no one during the presentation is testimony to your effectiveness.
– Holme Roberts & Owen LLP
I really appreciate and recognize your contribution and feel that you set a great tone for the entire conference. I am extremely grateful for your willingness to extend yourself and I hope you realize how truly wonderful you and your presentation were. The substance of your presentation was extremely helpful in beginning the networking process. You held the attention of two hundred very demanding women who rarely sit through a meeting without planning their escape, and who can hardly keep their mouths shut for a moment to listen. Indeed, they listened to you.
– Women Presidents’ Organization

Booksby Debra Fine

The Fine Art of Small Talk How to Start a Conversation, Keep it Going, Build Rapport and Leave a Positive Impression

The Fine Art of Big Talk: How to Win Clients, Deliver Great Presentations, and Solve Conflicts at Work

Beyond Texting The Fine Art of Face-to-Face Communication for Teenagers

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Blog Posts

 

Mental Health Awareness: The Mark of a Modern Workplace

🌎✨ As we recognize World Mental Health Day, we're shining a spotlight on critical mental...

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Have you ever wanted to get more energy in your day-to-day activities? https://youtu.be/hltabhE0QRM Have you...

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🌟 Mental Fitness Through Improv & Mindfulness 🌟 https://youtu.be/xuAhzUGZ438 Mental fitness is not just about...

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https://youtu.be/1erTgGFdyW8 Watch this week’s podcast episode here: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon...

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Learn valuable life lessons from overcoming failure and parenting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJTIi-nhq60&list=PLXTlGHk63lLgbS8LN-PENXDzwMdqWAnOm "Life’s greatest lessons come from...

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