Cara Hale Alter

Cara Hale Alter is a recognized authority on credibility and communication in the professional world. She is the founder and president of SpeechSkills, a San Francisco-based communication training company. As an international keynote speaker and author, Alter specializes in nonverbal communication, leadership presence, and professional development. Her work emphasizes that projecting credibility and confidence is a skill set that can be developed through targeted communication training.

Alter is the author of the book "The Credibility Code," which identifies 25 specific visual and auditory cues that influence perceptions of credibility in professional interactions. The book outlines practical strategies for posture, gestures, vocal skills, and eye contact, providing actionable guidance for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership presence and communication skills. Alter has provided training to organizations such as Caterpillar, Google, Meta, PayPal, Pixar, Samsung, Schwab, and Uber.

In addition to her corporate training, Alter has lectured at institutions including Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, and UC Berkeley, and has worked with numerous top-100 law firms. Her expertise has been featured in media outlets such as Forbes.com, The Globe and Mail, and USA Today. She has spoken at more than 500 conferences in 20 countries. Her training videos, "Speaking with Credibility and Confidence" and "Improving Your Speaking Skills," have received Telly Awards for Best Instructional Video and Best Corporate Training Video.

Alter holds a BA in speech communication and an MFA in theatre. Her early career includes work as a voice-over artist and commercial actress. She is a featured expert on the Lean In website with the video series "Taming Adrenaline." An advocate for diversity and inclusion, Alter has served on the board of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Her multidisciplinary background in theatre, academia, and corporate training informs her approach to helping professionals develop effective communication and leadership skills.