AIABG January 2018 Meeting at Maanas

Merri Bame 

Trained as an educator from Bowling Green State University and as a theater professional from both Greg Goldston’s School of Mime (Kenyon College) and the National Shakespeare Conservatory in Manhattan, Merri Bame taught speech, communication and theatre for16 years in NW Ohio. She had the goal to help others find their voice - in the same way her favorite teachers helped her. Eventually Merri became aware of the barriers in her communication style and decided to develop her intrapersonal skills so she could be more mentally confident and clear about what was important to her. From a teaching standpoint this increased her authority while also enhancing her credibility. Merri also addressed the barriers in her interpersonal skills to practice speaking/speaking up when she would otherwise naturally shy away. 

Merri was awarded local teacher of the year for her school district in 1991 and in 1999 was nominated to receive Teacher of the Year for Hancock County in Northwest Ohio. Merri ended her teaching career in 2000 after 16 years teaching, serving as her teacher association’s contract negotiation team member and president of the local teacher association chapter. Her training and professional development in communication skills led Merri to start BDB (Breaking Down Barriers) Communication which shifted her focus from coaching teens to coaching adults. Why? Merri experienced that even adults want to feel better at the end of the day instead of feeling anxiety from their communication habits, and they deserve to regain purpose and value. 

In 2008 Merri moved to Columbus and started speaking at local networking organizations and associations of her target market – attorneys. She spoke for the Columbus Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association and the Ohio Supreme Court on communication style, presenting with power and barriers to communication. All this launched her study in the habits and desires of attorneys and other professionals so she could effectively coach them to become self-aware, develop clarity of focus and learn how to communicate to get what they want. 

Today Merri coaches attorneys and other professionals to speak with confidence. Author of Confidence in 30 Days, and Light a Fire in Your Message, Merri coaches clients to break down barriers in their communication when they want to achieve clarity, connection and confidence with business development and/or public speaking, with relationships and in managing themselves, and she is here for AIABG to discuss what it takes.