Michael Foley knows how to tell a story. Whether leading expeditions during his tenure as an Outward Bound instructor in Montana, reassuring novice sailors while traversing the Panama Canal, or helping executives pack a punch in a board presentation, Michael is committed to living outside of his comfort zone while encouraging others to do the same. As a result, he has a catalog of humorous tales and insights that have been at the core of his success during his twenty-five plus years as an educator, corporate trainer, consultant and coach.
In 1996, Michael founded Clarity Central, a consulting firm specializing in communications skills training and interpersonal effectiveness. Prior to Clarity Central, Michael excelled in business development for General Electric where he was selected division MVP and achieved President's Club status; he knows firsthand what it takes to differentiate one's self in the marketplace. He has subsequently developed courses that are academically rigorous, applicable and powerful. His "zero fluff" approach to education is highly engaging for even the toughest of audiences. In addition to his consulting duties, Michael serves as an Adjunct Lecturer of Leadership at Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management.
Michael holds a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an M.A. in Human Development from St. Mary's University, an M.B.A. from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, and a certificate in Executive Coaching from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. He is a contributor to the Harvard Business Review and in 2014 he was recognized by the National Speakers Association as a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), the highest international recognition for professional speakers. Outside of work, he is a licensed USCG Captain and, when not spending time with his family in Chicago, can most likely be found on his sailboat listening to the wind, waves, and creaking teak.