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BY DEBRA SOLOMON
BAKER
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KATHRYN
KIEFER,
journalist and owner of Kiefer Communications Group
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As a journalist for more than 25 years, Kathryn Kiefer recalls interviewing
many intelligent professionals who would suddenly become tongue-tied
as soon as the camera would start to roll. Since 1994, when Kiefer
started Kiefer Communications Group, she has used her extensive
media experience to help individuals deliver their messages. Her
aim is to make clients sound as informed as they truly are.
“We wouldn’t dream of giving a 16-year-old the keys to a car and
say, ‘go learn to drive,’” says this former news anchor. “In speaking,
too, we need to show people the rules of the road.”
Kiefer has 20 regular clients, in addition to the 150 or so whom
she sees periodically. Clients are scattered across the United States
and Toronto and include physicians and other health care workers,
lawyers, educators, developers, and not-for-profit organizations.
In what she refers to as her “boutique business,” Kiefer guides
clients through all issues regarding communication, with emphasis
on customized media analysis, strategic media planning, and media
training.
Individuals seek out Kiefer’s expertise for a myriad of reasons.
Some need analysis of media demographics, so they can select the
optimal time slot in which to deliver their particular message.
Others request training for upcoming interviews, so Kiefer teaches
them how to think like a reporter, craft powerful answers, and use
body language effectively. Still others require help in creating
vivid imagery for introductions or speeches that they are going
to deliver.
“It’s incredible when you take business executives who have these
wonderful ideas and you give them the tools needed to say something
so that everyone in the organization understands them,” she says.
“We’re trying to avoid that ‘glazed over’ look whenever we can.”
Kiefer conducts hundreds of media awareness seminars every year
throughout North America and teaches journalism and presentation
skills courses at Washington University. She also lectures annually
for the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine M.D./Ph.D. program in neuroscience.
Although she has a small staff, Kiefer’s business often requires
her to work seven days a week. But she’s not complaining.
“I absolutely love helping people learn how to speak better,” she
says. “It’s like a foreign language…you’ve got to spend time practicing,
but then, when you need it, you’re ready.”
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE INSIGHTS 
If you were to leave the private sector and work for the government,
what sector would you work for?
“I would work for the Department of Agriculture because of my experience
in that area.”
ROGER CAPPS,
CEO,
Prairie Farms Dairy
“I would work in economic development and infrastructure. It touches
every aspect of our lives and there is so much more that can and
should be done today to keep America strong and competitive for
the future.”
JIM SOUERS,
president and CEO,
Marcone
“I am very interested in education and economic development. An
investment in education is an investment in the economic growth
and quality of life of our community. I am committed to enhancing
education and community vitality through technology.”
CINDY BRINKLEY,
president,
SBC Missouri
“I would want to work in the governor’s office, as the governor.
I could apply my management and financial experience to the job.”
SYLVIA DEWITT,
field vice president,
American Express Financial Advisors
For more information on Leadership Circle, please contact John
Diefenbach, associate vice president-membership, 314/444-1184
or jdief@stlrcga.org.
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