Bridgett McGowen- Hawkins: From Church School Secretary to International Speaker: A Journey of Voice and Purpose /Ep3675

Have you ever experienced an energy that made you move to the edge of your seat or that had you stand to your feet? What about an excitement that stayed with you and had you talking about it long after an event ended? That is the best way to describe Bridgett McGowen, an award-winning author, an award-winning publisher, and an award-winning international professional speaker who is known to be both comical and memorable. She will not only energize you but will inspire you to not let anyone or anything get in the way of you being the most unforgettable person in the room.

Bridgett has been a professional speaker since 2001; has spoken on programs alongside prominent figures such as former President Barack Obama, Deepak Chopra, Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod), Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Katie Couric, Janelle Monae, Sir Richard Branson, Indra Nooyi, Stacey Abrams, Dr. Mae Jemison, Common, Amy Cuddy, Sara Blakely, and Mel Robbins; and is repped by All American Speakers Bureau.

But well before the big names, she credits her start in public speaking to her time as the Sunday school secretary at the United Methodist church she grew up attending and that was directly across the street from where she lived. She beamed with pride standing at the front of the sanctuary to deliver the lesson title, scripture, amount of the collection for the morning, and the number in attendance before an intimate gathering. Her fascination with words was further evidenced in her winning first place in a second grade spelling bee and the multiple UIL awards she was awarded during high school as she competed in news writing, headline writing, poetry, and prose. It was just the beginning.

The Communicator Awards presented her with an Award of Distinction in 2023; the prestigious University of Texas at Austin presented her with a Master Presenter Award; Canada-based One Woman has presented her with two Fearless Woman Awards; and she has facilitated hundreds of workshops, keynote and commencement addresses, conference sessions, trainings, and webinars to thousands of students and professionals who are positioned all around the globe.

Bridgett's expertise and presentations have been sought after by companies, post-secondary institutions, and organizations such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Fifth Third Bank, Vanguard Investments, LifeLock, Symantec, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McGraw-Hill Education, LinkedIn Local, Association for Talent Development, New York University (NYU), Doña Ana Community College, National Association of Women Sales Professionals, Independence University, Turnitin, National Association of Black Accountants, Miller-Motte College, Prairie View A&M University, and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She has been quoted by Transizion, has contributed to UpJourney, and has appeared as a guest on The Training and Learning Development Company's TLDCast as well as Phoenix Business Radio to showcase her expertise in the professional speaking industry. Her work in professional speaking and public speaking coaching has been highlighted by VoyagePhoenix Magazine; award-winning branding and consulting agency, Catalyst; The Startup Growth; and her alma mater, Prairie View A&M University, the second oldest institution of higher education in the state of Texas.

Bridgett has also taught for Prairie View A&M University, which is a part of the Texas A&M University System; Lone Star College System; and University of Phoenix. From 2009 until 2016, while in the employ of an educational technology company, she traveled the country researching, designing, and facilitating faculty and professional development workshops and webinars for dozens of four-year, two-year, and career and technical colleges. She has earned a bachelor's degree in Communication and a master's degree; is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; and is a member of the International Society of Female Professionals.

Bridgett is also an Entrepreneur Leadership Network Writer; a former Forbes Coaches Council contributor; a Medium contributor; and is the author of several books to include Show Up and Show Out: 52 Communication Habits to Make You Even More Unforgettable, the winner of an Award of Distinction from The Communicator Awards; Own the Microphone, an amazing collaboration with 50 professional speakers from around the globe; Rise and Sizzle: Daily Communication and Presentation Strategies for Sales, Business, and Higher Ed Pros; and two editions of REAL TALK: What Other Experts Won't Tell You About How to Make Presentations That Sizzle, which is the winner of a 2023 silver BookFest Award in the business communication category, the winner of a 2020 Best Indie Book Award in the non-fiction business and communication category, and a 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist. Bridgett is a 2023 Nasdaq Milestone Circles graduate and a 2023 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program graduate. She is also the host of the five-star rated podcast, Own the Microphone, which provides subscribers with winning presentation strategies, and the founder and owner of the award-winning hybrid publishing company, Press 49.

Bridgett's mission now is to support as many professionals as possible with moving away from being ordinary and flying under the radar, to digging deep and giving the people the best versions of themselves even when they don’t feel like it and to not let anything or anyone get in their way of being the most unforgettable person in the room.

Bridgett lives with her family in the Phoenix, Arizona area, and she absolutely loves beautiful sunsets.

BRIDGETT McGOWEN
Award-Winning International Professional Speaker

Certified Motivational Speaker, IAP Career College

2024 LinkedIn Top Presentation Skills Voice and Top Presentations Voice

2024 Association for Talent Development Thought Leadership Award Nominee

TONE Networks Expert

2023 Nasdaq Milestone Circles Graduate

2023 BookFest Business Communication Award Winner

2023 BookFest Women in Business Award Winner

2023 Stevie Award Winner, Best Female Entrepreneur

2023 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program Graduate

2023 Award of Distinction Winner, The Communicator Awards

2023 iDominate Speakers Magazine Top Woman to Watch

2021 Stevie Award Winner

2020 Best Indie Book Award Winner

2020 Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner

W: https://www.bridgettmcgowen.com/

E: [email protected]