Founder: Christina Harbridge

As a young woman, Christina Harbridge was so terrified of public speaking that she broke out into a rash when asked to present a simple toast at her friend David's wedding. She still regrets handing the microphone to Bob instead of speaking for her best friend. It is her former fear of public speaking that allows Harbridge to connect with her audience, whether it be a room full of CEO's, members of Congress or a group of neighborhood mothers learning to advocate for green space.  According to Harbridge, the keystone for powerful, convincing communication is the same at every level: Be Yourself. It is this fundamental principle upon which Harbridge has based her life and career, transforming the rules of business along the way. It is also the basis of her highly acclaimed book Your Professionalism is Killing You: How to be a Better Communicator by Being Yourself.

While still a college student, Harbridge faced the reality of becoming the sole provider and primary caregiver for her father who had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She scanned the help-wanted ads and applied for a collector position, thinking the job would involve handling antiques. The error would reform and revolutionize the collections industry. After a couple of years in the business, she figured out how to turn a collection call into a sales call. Her communications protocol resulted in over three times the industry average in payments and debtors sending thank you letters and an occasional wedding invitation.

Harbridge's agency, Bridgeport Financial Inc., was listed in the top 4% of business revenue in the country and named one of the "Top 100 Fastest Growing Businesses in the Bay Area"--four years in a row--by the San Francisco Business Times.

Harbridge realized that the communication protocol she created could be easily translated to any person or business needing transformative relationship-oriented communication. In 2006, she sold Bridgeport Financial and founded Allegory Training to spread her belief, "The human relationship is the true currency." Allegory's training works with the physiological challenge facing leaders and team members: Instinct Trumps Discipline.  Harbridge says, "Even though we know what to do to have verbal influence, when it really matters, we don't do it."

Harbridge is among the highest rated speakers for Entrepreneur's Organization worldwide. She is a recent graduate of "Birthing of Giants" - a three-year business program at MIT for 60 CEOs selected from around the world.