Speaker & Facilitator

Bring Wendy in for your upcoming in-person and virtual events.

Wendy's most requested topics include:

3 Tools for the Turnaround - Any business can survive if you make resilient recovery part of the fabric of your business.
What's Love Got To Do With It? EVERYTHING! - compassionate leadership without being a pushover
Muddy Mindsets Muck Things Up - There's no handbook, magic wand or silver bullet - you have the answers if you clear out the crap.
RoadMap to Resilience - Making Meaning in the Midst of Crisis (Large & Small)

During her partnership with the Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity, Wendy (Dickinson) has conducted relevant workshops and contributed valuable information at conferences held annually for the growth and development of small businesses in Virginia. She comes highly credentialed through her training and experience as a small business owner herself. Wendy has the heart of a leader and a coach and is committed to enhancing the opportunities for small business owners in their entrepreneurial aspirations and goals. She is thoughtful and informative while bringing innovative ideas valuable for many of the areas of business development to those attending her workshops. Her instruction and guidance is needed to add to the tool kit of any aspiring entrepreneur. ~ Courtney Cash Mustin, Business Services Manager, Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity

Wendy gave a Zoom workshop to job seekers at the Jobs Assistance Ministry. She showed them how to identify their “value proposition,” what makes them special. Recognizing how critical it is for job seekers to stand out in the job market, she helped them identify and focus on their unique skills and experiences that are valuable to any business in recovery mode. Thanks to Wendy’s engaging and motivational workshop, job seekers are now better equipped to market themselves effectively. The feedback was enthusiastic and appreciative. ~Ed Landry Founder & Leader Jobs Assistance Ministry (JAM)

Based on my recent experience in working with Wendy Dickinson of Ascend Coaching Solutions, LLC, I can say unequivocally that she provides tremendous value to my personal and professional performance. Wendy’s unique mix of skills, including her knowledge of psychology, particularly as it applies in a workplace setting, positions her to provide anyone with valuable insight into how to interact with fellow team members in the most productive way possible. Her coaching in this regard will improve communication within any organization, facilitate goal setting and reduce conflict. Without reservation I would recommend hiring Wendy and Ascend Coaching to anyone wishing to improve all functions of their organization and/or to improve their own personal productivity and work life enjoyment. ~Christopher L. Nelson, Vice President, BON SECOUR FISHERIES, INC.

I invited Wendy Dickinson to speak to seasoned entrepreneurs in my NEW VIRGINIA: SCALING4GROWTH last spring. She spoke to building value within their businesses to create options for viable exit strategies. She discussed case studies of common myths and pitfalls for owners hoping to sell their businesses. Wendy offers tools, tips and information to give business owners the ability to begin a viable exit strategy. Wendy possesses a unique combination of skills which allow business owners to understand the perspective of the buyer, seller, strategic partner, as well as the psychology of transition. She gives attendees the chance to consider mindset, awareness, readiness and resilience in creating sustainability within their organization. Wendy is very knowledgeable and easily engages with her audience. I will bring her back. ~Rita

I thoroughly enjoyed Tuesday's Chamber Zoom Meeting. As a small business owner celebrating ten years in business, the timing of the meeting was perfect! Luckily, I was able to take advantage of all the financial resources provided by Federal and local financial institutions which saved my business and prevented staff lay-offs, but I was thinking "how do I plan for the next major crisis?” The educational tips Wendy provided were exactly what I needed to create a simple but smart action plan. I have already opened a separate savings account with the goal of setting aside enough funds to cover at least 5 months of expenses and am working my local bank to open a line of credit. These are very easy steps to follow and something all businesses can do immediately. Thank you Wendy! ~Michelle Walters Owner, Island Glow Sunless Studio

I would like make a testimonial about Wendy Dickerson with Ascend Couching Solutions. We recently had the privilege of Wendy speaking to our Partners in a Healthcare members at a Johnston Willis Hospital (pre-Covid). There were 100 people in attendance. Wendy spoke to the group about working together internally as a team and gave some excellent examples of ways to do that effectively. She was engaging, clear, concise, great power point and hand outs. Many questions were generated. Wendy has an amazing skill of understanding, guidance, problem solving, and confidence. Wendy has experience working with many different industries and cultures. She was able to immediately hone in on healthcare providers issues and concerns. She provides solid solutions for owners of companies and employees to navigate through challenges with easy to understand and implement ideas. I highly recommend Wendy to company owners who are overwhelmed with the chaos of employee moral and uncertainty. She can create a positive and integrated approach for success. You will not be disappointed when you see your numbers, outcomes, and productivity increase. ~Debra Willis, President, Partners in HealthCare

Bring Wendy in for your upcoming in-person and virtual events!

Catalytic Conversations

Sometimes hearing other people’s stories of crisis and recovery sparks a thought for us that makes a difference or gives us hope. I interview business owners to honor their stories and experiences. Catch everybody’s why, how and what. Take a listen. Who says you have to learn everything the hard way? I have both video and audio only versions.

Video of this season’s Catalytic Conversations on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sGzIhy1Ne04

Audio of Catalytic Conversations can be found on Anchor, Apple’s iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Overcasts, Pocketcasts, Podbean, RadioPublic https://anchor.fm/ascendcoachingsolutions