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Managers become captains
Managers stop avoiding difficult generational conversations. They lead with clarity and rapport.
Executives bridge
the gap
Using the PHARTS framework, leaders deliver messages that resonate across cultures and levels.
Teams get the meeting
Elevator Pitch Training makes it second nature to secure real conversations with high-quality leads in 30 seconds.
Since 2016, empowering thousands globally
What will clients get from working with Buddy?
Signature Talks for Workshops
● Elevator Pitch: How to get a meeting in 30 seconds with a chance encounter
● No Yawns: How to Grab, Hold, and Be Remembered
● Pitch, Pace, and Pause: 80% of public speaking
● The Hook: Where to place it. Great ones. Sucky ones
● Delivery: What they don’t tell you in speaking class
Keynotes for Leadership, Decision-making, and Working with Gen-Z
● Laughing on the Inside
● Are you a Manager, or a Captain?
● When to Ignore the Experts
● Knowledge or Wisdom?
● Magic of Low Expectations
● Command and Performance
● Instruments in Leadership
● Sales is Dating
● The ‘Sweet Spot’ of Motivation
● Lessons from The Most Powerful Sentence in Aviation
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From Georgia Muddy Roads to the Global Flight Deck
Buddy grew up working for farmers in Southern Georgia, with zero exposure to public speaking (unless you count talking to the hogs). Unpolished.
That dirt road grit carried him into the Air Force and later into a career as an international airline pilot. High-stakes environments. Precision under pressure. Global logistics handled daily.
Today, he blends farm-kid humility with aviation-level discipline to help leaders perform when it matters most, in boardrooms, bootcamps, and global stages.
The “World’s Worst Speaker” Who Got the Call
In 2017, Buddy was asked to step in last-minute at a UC Berkeley International Entrepreneur Bootcamp. No long prep. So he did what works under pressure: he simplified.
He created the “PPP Exercise” on the spot. The room shifted. Nervous founders started laughing. Then pitching. Then owning the room. That one session turned into a long-term role speaking to and mentoring international entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.
Proof of concept: Speaking isn’t talent. It’s training. Since then, Buddy deepened his craft through the World Class Speaking Academy under World Champion Craig Valentine - sharpening techniques that make confidence repeatable, not accidental.
Buddy believes public speaking should never feel like punishment
Buddy's rule: Less lecturing. More doing. Sessions are meant to be interactive. Three basic elements: Fast-paced. Practical. No fillers. No theory overload.
Participants don’t just listen, they practice. They laugh. They improve in real time. The result? Fear turns into fun. Silence turns into momentum. And every client leaves three times the speaker they were before. Guaranteed.
TESTIMONIALS
“Every time Buddy teaches our classes, the students leave excited and inspired. We ask him back over and over, for talks and seminars. His very special technique lands squarely with both international and American audiences!”
Dr Anuradha Basu | Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director
📍 Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship, San Jose State University
"I've known Buddy for over ten years, and he has been an active part of every project since then. Buddy has helped craft virtually every successful pitch I've delivered, whether in San Francisco or Berlin. No one understands audiences better or builds presentations that truly connect with them as Buddy does.
Beyond pitches, Buddy provided invaluable advice during the early stages of my deep-tech startups. He's always reliable—I can count on him, as my Budapest course students have on multiple occasions when he stepped in as a guest lecturer. I'm endlessly grateful, knowing that whenever I need advice or support, Buddy is there. He's an exceptional professional and person, and I am glad to know him!"
Helga Reguly | Founder, Cytocast
📍 Budapest, Hungary
“I have twice asked Buddy to teach my Engineering Leadership class at UC Berkeley and the reviews were stellar. Not only did he hold their full attention for 3 hours each time, the worldly group left with precious and memorable takeaways they’ll use forever.”
Stephen Torres | Cofounder and CEO, Ellerra
📍 UC Berkeley Engineering
“Buddy Burke’s dynamic, confidence‑building Public Speaking workshop quickly became the highlight of our yearlong Emerging Leader Program, with his engaging style and practical techniques getting everyone involved; I highly recommend him as an impactful speaker and facilitator.”
Renee Chiasson | Director Leadership Development (2016-2025) Telecare Corporation.
"Meeting Buddy was a milestone in my life. His message is always warm and generous. He not only inspired me to pursue my dreams in business, but also gave me the confidence, clarity, and poise to present myself with assurance and elegance while representing my state at Miss Universe."
Samantha Torres | Founder, Casa Ser
Entrepreneur & Former Miss Universe State Winner
📍 Durango, Mexico
"Buddy is one of the most thoughtful teachers I’ve worked with. He brings real experience from multiple worlds and knows how to meet people exactly where they are. He doesn’t teach from a script but really listens, adjusts, and explains things in a way that actually lands, no matter your background.
I saw this firsthand at Startup Bootcamp in Berkeley. Buddy has a rare ability to break down something as personal and high-stakes as pitching and public speaking into clear, practical steps. His background as a former pilot shows up in how calm, precise, and grounded his teaching is. Nothing feels vague or fluffy. You always know what to do next and why it works."
Amy Jain, founder | Building Something New (Prev. JPMorgan Chase, Pear VC)
I attended two talks by Buddy Burke at different moments in my life, and both experiences were incredibly insightful.
Buddy has a rare ability to distill complex ideas into clear, practical insights that stay with you over time.
Even today, as I prepare for my own talks, I often return to one of his early teachings - such a lasting impact!
Alessia Cerbone | Co-Founder- Operations Menabòh
📍 Milan, Italy
“Learning how to engage in meaningful conversations with Buddy was a turning point for me. His perspective challenged me to think beyond limits I didn’t even realize I had placed on myself. He doesn’t just give talks; he creates dialogue that awakens courage, ambition, and a global mindset in those who listen.”
Eloísa Méndez | STEM Degree, Harvard University, Tec de Monterrey Mexico
MBA Candidate | STEM Engineer & Business Leader
📍 Mexico City Metropolitan Area, Mexico
"I can’t recommend Buddy enough - he’s exceptional at what he does! Buddy’s mentorship has given me the foundations I need in pitching/speaking in a compelling manner that applies in every domain across my personal and professional life. Buddy Burke helped me find my voice - and that made all the difference in my career."
Amy Jain, founder | Building Something New (Prev. JPMorgan Chase, Pear VC)
“I met Buddy at the BMOE Bootcamp and was truly inspired by his talk on using tone to make a strong impression in a pitch. It reminded me that it’s not always about what you say, but how you say it. I highly recommend him to organizers who want to deliver professional, engaging events with more humanity, warmth, and humor.”
"Pitch, Pace & Pause - simple words that make all the difference, and lessons I will carry with me for life! Buddy Burke has a unique ability to explain the complex art of public speaking in a practical, accessible, and deeply engaging way. I was so inspired by his class at UC Berkeley that I simply had to fly him to Brazil to speak at our entrepreneurship conference, Ruptura, in Belo Horizonte. Buddy was a true spark at the event, and the reviews were off the charts. An outstanding professional and a wonderful person, Buddy has a rare gift for capturing attention and actively engaging audiences."
Raissa Guerra | Founder of NanoView Nanotechnology
📍 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
“After attending Buddy’s talk at SCET Bootcamp, I began seeing public speaking as an opportunity to engage with people of all backgrounds. His coaching on crafting impactful pitches with authenticity and clarity has helped me develop confidence to communicate ideas instead of shying away from them. Now I feel more ready than ever to speak in front of an audience!”
Maryum Syed, UC Berkeley BioEng + Data Science ’26
📍 UC Berkeley