About

“Let us strive to improve ourselves, for we cannot remain stationary; one either progresses or retrogrades.” ~ Mme. Du Deffand

Welcome to Creating Communication!  Everyone has the power to be a strong communicator.  My goal is to give visionary thinkers the tools they need to express their ideas through written and verbal communication and to develop a more design-centered way of thinking.  If you want to deliver yet another boring, death-by-bulletpoint presentation, Creating Communication is not for you.  If your goal is to smash the status quo and show people something extraordinary, you are in the right place!

My name is Alex Rister.  If you want to pronounce my last name correctly, it is “rice-stir.”  I’m a writer, public speaker, presentation designer, communicator, motivator, leader, and volunteer.  I blog and Tweet (here) about creating and practicing effective communication, especially in public speaking and presentation.

My public speaking and presentation experience started at childhood.  I’ve always been a presenter.  Before I could attend school, I put on all kinds of shows for anyone who would listen.  When I finally hit kindergarten, I was in heaven.  I was the first to raise my hand to volunteer for anything, and I constantly got in trouble for performing for my fellow classmates.  For example, my mom saved a note from my second grade teacher and recently sent it to me.  The note read:  ”Alex needs to settle down.  She is talking toooooo much and disturbing others.”  Needing a serious outlet for my center-of-attention craving, I participated in many plays and musical performances.  I was voted “Class Clown” by my peers throughout middle and high school due to my desire to play, perform, and present for everyone at all times.

When it came time to channel all of my passions into a college major, naturally, I selected Communications.  My A.A. degree in Communications concentrated on public speaking, presentation, and leadership.  Transferring to the University of Florida, I earned a B.A. degree in English and focused entirely on written communication.  Loving my training and ability to better express myself through both speech and the written word, I pursued a M.A. degree in English from the University of North Florida.  I am currently planning a Fall 2012 return to school for a second M.A. in Interpersonal Communication.

The excess energy I’ve always had and formerly channeled into performing for others now translates into my work ethic.  I learn, work, and volunteer to utilize all of my interests and skills.  Currently, I teach Professional Communication and Presentation courses at a college, sit on the Executive Board of the Junior League of Greater Orlando as well as the Central Florida Chi Omega Alumnae Association, and advise several student organizations to promote leadership and success in college students.  Learn more about my professional life here.

These are a few of my favorite things.

Please feel free to contact me with your questions, comments, or requests.  I would love to hear and learn from you.

Alex