Meet Lynda

Successfully Speaking was founded by Lynda Katz Wilner, MS, CCC-SLP, a Speech and Communication Trainer and Executive Coach. Lynda is a nationally certified Speech and Language Pathologist and a professional speaker with expertise in Professional Development and Communication Skills. She collaborates with other professionals in the soft skills arena to bring comprehensive training to the workplace. Successfully Speaking helps emerging and established leaders polish their communication skills. She provides professional development training to organizations, groups, and individuals. Lynda has worked with major hospital systems, corporations, technology firms, research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, law firms, small businesses, and the clergy. She was an Adjunct Faculty member at the Community College of Baltimore County where she taught international allied health students.

Lynda is a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association. She is a Yoodli Coach Advisor (AI-Powered technology) and a technical advisor at TEDCO. Lynda is a Preferred Trainer with LDS & Associates providing professional training in Accented Speech and is certified by the Institute of Language to conduct training with the Compton P-ESL program. Lynda developed her own unique and comprehensive training program for accent modification in the medical profession (Medically Speaking: Accent Modification for the Medical Profession, The Medically Speaking Inventory).

In 2006, Lynda and Marjorie Feinstein-Whittaker formed a joint venture, ESL RULES, to present workshops and produce and distribute their unique training materials for accent modification. They published RULES, RULES By the Sound, RULES to Go, RULES on the Run, Medically Speaking Idioms, and Medically Speaking RULES. They developed an innovative, comprehensive, cutting-edge approach to accent modification and pronunciation designed for intermediate to advanced English speakers. The Pronunciation Screening Tool and Boston RULES are also part of their product line.

Lynda authored the book and online platform, Miss Persnickety’s Guide to Everyday Misspeaks. She created the online public speaking course, SPEAK, SOUND, and LOOK Like a Leader.  She hosted “Hard Facts About Soft Skills for HR Professionals,” “Successful Speakers: An Interview Series,” and the leadership professional development series, “Speak, Sound, and Look Like a Leader.”

When working with clients, she combines an excellent ability to communicate, an understanding of individual communication concerns and their impact, knowledge of techniques and strategies to address these issues, and a passion for helping individuals from diverse backgrounds achieve excellence in communication.

Professional Certifications and Affiliations:

  • Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) in Speech and Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)

  • Certified virtual trainer though eSpeakers

  • Certificates of completion of accent modification (train-the-trainer) training – LDS & Associates, Compton P-ESL, and Daniel Dato

  • Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida MUMA College of Business

  • Network advisor for startups at TEDCO in Maryland

  • Bachelor of Arts degree in Hearing and Speech Science from the University of Maryland

  • Master of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the University of Michigan

Member of the following associations:

o   American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)

o   National Speakers Association (NSA)

o   National Speakers Association-DC Chapter (NSA-DC)

o   Chesapeake Human Resource Association (CHRA)

o   Association for Talent Development (ATD) Maryland Chapter