Ira Koretsky

Ira Koretsky

MBA

MD, US
Improve top and bottom lines through better communication, specializing in business storytelling | CEO, The Chief Storyteller ®

It all began some 30 years ago, at a high school science fair. Ira Koretsky had presented his computer program on the heart and the circulatory system. One by one, the prizes were announced... third...second...first place. After nearly 100 hours of programming evenings and weekends, he slumped his shoulders and thought to himself, "I lost." Then...Ira heard the chairwoman announce, "We are awarding the grand prize to a young man who could sell me my own pair of shoes!" And his name was called... In hindsight, this event helped put him on the path to a career in communications.

He was a US Army Captain in the Medical Service Corps serving as both a public affairs officer (PAO) and chief information officer (CIO) in the military health system. He designed presentations for himself and over 40 military and civilian executives in technology and healthcare. At just 21 years of age, he gained invaluable insights into messaging, communications, and storytelling.

Ira has held various leadership roles in marketing and product management. After earning his MBA from the University of Maryland, Ira entered into the world of leading edge technology in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley areas. It is there he started The Chief Storyteller ® in 2002.

He performed improvisational humor professionally with ComedySportz in a career spanning 12 years and more than 1,000 shows. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business, where he teaches communication, storytelling, and public speaking.

Ira improves your individual and organizational performance through better communication. You're sure to be inspired by his mantra, "Think deliberately." He is a sought-after speaker inspiring over 36,000 people globally. He is an in-demand consultant, presentations and communications coach, and has had over 40 articles published.

Ira is easy to work with. Generous with his time and ideas, Ira spends time with your planning team and executive leadership to ensure the concepts, exercises, and take-aways are aligned to your goals. Please visit The Chief Storyteller website for video samples, testimonials, clients, and speaking topics for your keynote, webinar, and workshop.

He has accelerated success for fast growing companies to the Fortune 50, associations, and government agencies. Examples: American Marketing Association, American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), American Geosciences Institute, Chinese Association of Science & Technology, Deutsche Telekom, IBM, International Association of Hispanic Meeting Planners, Lockheed Martin, Mexico Ministry of Tourism, Meeting Planners International, National Association of Women Business Owners), National Wood Pallet and Container Association, Selling Power, and Urban Planning Institute.

It all began some 30 years ago, at a high school science fair. Ira Koretsky had presented his computer program on the heart and the circulatory system. One by one, the prizes were announced... third...second...first place. After nearly 100 hours of programming evenings and weekends, he slumped his shoulders and thought to himself, "I lost." Then...Ira heard the chairwoman announce, "We are awarding the grand prize to a young man who could sell me my own pair of shoes!" And his name was called... In hindsight, this event helped put him on the path to a career in communications.

He was a US Army Captain in the Medical Service Corps serving as both a public affairs officer (PAO) and chief information officer (CIO) in the military health system. He designed presentations for himself and over 40 military and civilian executives in technology and healthcare. At just 21 years of age, he gained invaluable insights into messaging, communications, and storytelling.

Ira has held various leadership roles in marketing and product management. After earning his MBA from the University of Maryland, Ira entered into the world of leading edge technology in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley areas. It is there he started The Chief Storyteller ® in 2002.

He performed improvisational humor professionally with ComedySportz in a career spanning 12 years and more than 1,000 shows. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business, where he teaches communication, storytelling, and public speaking.

Ira improves your individual and organizational performance through better communication. You're sure to be inspired by his mantra, "Think deliberately." He is a sought-after speaker inspiring over 36,000 people globally. He is an in-demand consultant, presentations and communications coach, and has had over 40 articles published.

Ira is easy to work with. Generous with his time and ideas, Ira spends time with your planning team and executive leadership to ensure the concepts, exercises, and take-aways are aligned to your goals. Please visit The Chief Storyteller website for video samples, testimonials, clients, and speaking topics for your keynote, webinar, and workshop.

He has accelerated success for fast growing companies to the Fortune 50, associations, and government agencies. Examples: American Marketing Association, American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), American Geosciences Institute, Chinese Association of Science & Technology, Deutsche Telekom, IBM, International Association of Hispanic Meeting Planners, Lockheed Martin, Mexico Ministry of Tourism, Meeting Planners International, National Association of Women Business Owners), National Wood Pallet and Container Association, Selling Power, and Urban Planning Institute.

Awaken the Storytelling Giant in You

We are our stories. They define us. They define our relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. We live through our and their stories. Leaders of all levels lead by action and inspire with words. The most powerful words are those shared through stories. Great leaders balance personal and professional stories to inspire, mentor, educate, and build great teams. Ira shares proven ways for you to build stronger and more profitable relationships with your stakeholders, through business...
Audience ActivityEducational / Informative

Executive Storytelling: How to Use Stories to Engage, Persuade, and Inspire

What if the right story inspired the right action from your team? What if the right story landed you that top recruit? What if the right story gained board approval? What difference could that "right story" mean to you? The Chief Storyteller® shows you how to turn your experiences into powerful stories that engage and inspire your stakeholders. Join Ira for a transformative experience where you will:
  • Come away with concrete techniques to develop high-impact leadership...
LeadershipAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeTechnical / Specific

"Yes And:" How to Use Improvisational Humor Techniques to Improve Your Influence and Effectiveness

Join Ira for a unique business program applying improvisational comedy principles to help accelerate leadership, communication, and sales success. "Thinking Improv" is a different way of thinking. It helps you naturally become more creative and more spontaneous - two elements critical to improving the effectiveness of your communication.

Your Program Is...
  • Rich with hands‐on exercises simulating real‐world business scenarios
  • Engaging and energizing where...
Audience ActivityEducational / InformativeTechnical / Specific

Speak Like TED: 5 Strategies to become as Inspiring and Memorable as the World's Top Speakers

Great presenters transform ideas into action. They put their messages, supporting points, facts, and personal stories into a meaningful context for their audiences. Great presenters do not just tell us what we should know, they tell us what we should do, and why we should do it. Learn 5 strategies to become as inspiring and memorable as the world's top TED and TEDx presenters.

In a "learning laboratory" environment, you'll have an opportunity to work on one of your own...

Presentation SkillsAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeTechnical / Specific

Storytelling for Scientists

The best communicators are great storytellers. They use the combined power of personal experience and relevancy to bring you along on their journey. These "journeys" are at the heart of every relationship, personal and professional.

Join Ira for a hands-on program where you will learn how to turn your "experiences" into high-impact and engaging messages you can use in your presentations, networking, social media, grant submissions, media interviews, board reviews, articles, and...
Performance ImprovementAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeTechnical / Specific