More than a decade ago, I made one of the best decisions of my life by leaving my successful twenty-year corporate career in Europe and bringing my young family across the Pond to America with a newborn on my lap. I exercised what I have since called the Power of Choice, a conscious decision-making framework that allows us to understand our perceptions, choose our behaviors, and determine our best outcomes.
Now, extraordinary leaders and professionals at many of the most respected organizations, associations, and government agencies in the world—from American Express to American Airlines, Hilton to Nespresso, Microsoft to Prudential, and even the US Airforce—trust me to help them make the right decisions to grow their brands and bottom lines.
Building on my five cornerstones of Modern Emotional Intelligence—visual, behavioral, verbal, digital, and social intelligence—I give my audiences the Power of Choice to determine their greatest outcomes in leadership, sales, and customer experience. I take them on a thought-provoking and immersive journey through the brain, the mind, from the unconscious to the conscious—and ultimately to the heights of personal, professional, and organizational success.
I am one of fewer than 12 percent of speakers worldwide who received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, 11-time award winner, the author of “The Image of Leadership,” the soon to be released next book “Fair Advantage,” and the mind behind dozens of innovative mobile online courses, including “How You Impress.”
When I am not working, I am volunteering with the National Speakers Association and the Global Speakers Federation. When I am not volunteering, I am racing more than 102 floors in the stairwells of some of the highest buildings around the world, cruising around on my boat in sunny Florida, or I am spending time with my two wonderful teenage children who test my emotional intelligence e.v.e.r.y single day.
I’m honored to be represented by cmi, a global leader in the meetings industry with over 20 years of experience. Founded by Karen Harris, cmi has built a reputation for integrity and excellence, representing an international roster of carefully selected knowledge experts.
As part of cmi’s roster, I’m proud to join their mission of delivering relevant and transformative content to audiences worldwide through keynote speeches, training, and various media platforms. cmi’s commitment to ethical business practices and their passion for changing lives aligns perfectly with my own values as a speaker.
“The Power of Choice” has been recognized by the International Live Events Association (ILEA) for its groundbreaking impact on the industry, earning the prestigious award for Best Technical Production. Initially launched at the annual convention of the National Speakers Association (NSA), this cutting-edge keynote has redefined audience engagement through its seamless integration of advanced 3D projection technology, creating an unforgettable and transformative experience. This award highlights the unmatched creativity and technical excellence that sets “The Power of Choice” apart as a true industry disruptor.
The George Morrisey Lifetime Achievement Award is a distinction that recognizes speakers who have made significant contributions to their field. I’m honored to have received this award for my contributions to the NSA Central Florida chapter and my dedication to pushing the boundaries with my 3D immersive experience.
The National Speakers Association Chair’s Award for Distinguished Service is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional support and dedication to the Chairman of the Board, the Board of Directors, and the overall advancement of association and its members.
The Beverly Babb Award for Extraordinary Service, granted by the Global Speakers Federation, recognizes a member who tirelessly works behind the scenes and contributes to the foundational growth of GSF and the associated member associations around the world.
This Award is a testament to unwavering dedication and support to the President, a recognition to those who go above and beyond for the betterment of NSA Central Florida, as well as an acknowledgment of the ‘Sylvie Di Giusto Scholarship.’
The Gedaliah Award, named after Robert Gedaliah and Rande Davis, recognizes the support, love and care a speaker shows behind the scenes for the speaking community and beyond.
The Alan Cimberg Award, named after one of the first and founding members of the National Speakers Association, recognize the life’s work of a speaker and their influence on the association and the speaking industry.
The Ron Volper Award, named after a past president of the National Speakers Association New York, recognized Sylvie for her commitment to excellence and for setting the standard for members, the chapter, and the speaking profession.
The Smart Hustle Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes business owners and champions who are leaders among entrepreneurs in the business community as they regularly demonstrate success while sharing with their peers.
The CSP™ (Certified Speaking Professional) designation is the speaking profession’s highest earned measure of professional platform competence. The CSP designation is conferred by the National Speakers Association.
The President’s Award for distinguished service, conferred by the national president of the National Speakers Association, recognizes superior professional engagement activities and extraordinary efforts for the speaking community.
Sylvie is a proud member of NSA (National Speakers Association) and GSA (German Speakers Association) and she serves on the board of GSF (Global Speakers Federation).
Members of these associations elevate excellence, share expertise, and challenge one another to improve their stage performance and business procedures.
The Future of Speaking Award recognizes the outstanding leadership, service, and contributions of Sylvie for planning and executing the National Speakers Association’s Annual Winter Conference and guiding the association’s members into the future of the speaking industry.
The Chapter Member of the Year is awarded to a member of the New York City chapter of the National Speakers Association who has made a significant contribution to the chapter over a long period of time.
As such, Sylvie has had the honor to serve as the
Born to an Austrian mother, a French father, a Spanish grandmother, and an Italian grandfather. Good food, good wine, and good hair have never been an issue.
Despite her family’s attempts to raise an Austrian patriot, as a five-year-old, she shares for the first time that she “wants to be an American.”
That was followed by years of failed US high school, college, university, internship, job, visa, green card application, and American dating attempts.
Graduates from the University of Vienna as a teacher of Communication and Information Technology. Yes, her image has come a long way too.
Joins the corporate world and becomes instrumental in launching traditional training and e-learning initiatives in Fortune 500 companies.
Is youngest HR professional to launch International Leadership Academy for Top Management and High Potentials for a >100k-employee organization.
After 30 years, boards a plane to fulfill her lifelong American dream with her newborn daughter on her lap—soon to be joined by a little brother.
Reinvents herself and goes back to school! Gets certified as an image consultant and takes a detour through the world of fashion.
Launches Executive Image Consulting and becomes coach to hundreds of top executives, entrepreneurs, and politicians during the next years.
Publishes The Image of Leadership and teaches audiences around the world how to package themselves to stand out for the right reasons.
Joins forces with her competitor and becomes the co-owner of the Studio for Image Professionals, the world's leading online certification provider.
Develops the habit of taking the stairs. Yes, literally “taking the stairs,” and ever since has run the staircases of New York’s highest skyscrapers.
Joins the C-Suite Book Club and later C-Suite Network Advisors. The Image of Leadership will be featured as Episode #1 on Bestseller TV.
Has been interviewed for and featured in several major national and international print and media publications.
Launches How You Impress, the world’s first interactive online course that leads professionals through their image transformation.
Serves as the Co-host of the National Association of Speakers Annual Winter conference "The Future of Speaking" - fully committed changes midi dress to robot costume.
Earns the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, the industry’s highest international measure of platform competence.
Receives the "Entrepreneur of the Year" Award by Smart Hustle Magazine which honors business owners who best exemplify the smart hustle of entrepreneurship and the small business community.
Serves as the President of the National Speakers Association New York and leads the chapter back to excellence: increase membership +41%, increase attendance +47%, increase university students +157%, increase revenue +340%.
Like the rest of the world, her speaking world comes to a stop until she turns her living room into a fully equipped filming studio that also operates as 3rd and 6th grade classroom, shared office space, art studio, workout space, therapy center, library, home spa...
Plans, executes and co-hosts the Annual Convention of the National Speakers Association which like many other conferences turned from an in-person event to virtual... literally overnight.
Relaunches How You Impress to a fully mobile learning lab that delivers laser-focused lessons via text messages daily to the mobile screens of attendees around the world.
A lifelong dream comes true for this dreamer as this magnificent country adopts her and welcomes her as an American citizen. Welcome home! Finally.
Sylvie joins the Board of the Global Speakers Federation, serving currently 17 independent Speakers Associations and nations and individuals from over 20 countries.
Sylvie establishes "The Sylvie di Giusto Speakers Academy Scholarship" that is for aspiring speakers who are interested in building a professional speaking business but lack the funds to get the education and training necessary.
Sylvie joins cmi, the world's leading speaker management agency to representing an international roster of carefully selected knowledge experts and top keynote speakers who positively impact millions of people through their speeches.
Discover Your Fair Advantage, Sylvie's second book, launches. Throughout 461 pages, Sylvie takes readers on a thought-provoking journey of self-discovery helping them identify their unique selling points.
Celebrating a year of recognitions, as Sylvie receives the NSA's President's Outstanding Service Award, the Chair's Award for Distinguished Service and GSF's Beverly Babb Award for Extraordinary Service.
At the 50th Anniversary of the National Speakers Assocation, Sylvie welcomes +1200 global speakers and introduces them to the first-ever 3D immersive experience that from now on will be her flagship keynote, taking audiences on a journey of magic and illusion.
After its initial release in 2014, Sylvie is marking the anniversary of “The Image of Leadership” with the launch of an updated, extended edition of her first book. To celebrate this milestone, she is also unveiling ten special editions, each thoughtfully tailored to resonate with the diverse needs of her audiences.
“The Power of Choice” has been recognized by the International Live Events Association (ILEA) for its groundbreaking impact on the industry. This award highlights the unmatched creativity and technical excellence that sets “The Power of Choice” apart as a true industry disruptor.