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NexStep

Professional Speaking & Executive Coaching

About Patrick

Patrick McWard is a passionate, kind, and empathic professional speaker, certified integral executive coach, and author dedicated to guiding organizations and leaders on a transformative journey toward creating cultures that are not only effective and rewarding but where everyone can be rooted in authenticity, fulfillment, empathy, and mindfulness. With a heart-centered approach, Patrick is the owner of NexStep Professional Speaking & Executive Coaching.

Over the course of more than two decades, Patrick has had the privilege of sharing his wisdom with over 2,800 audiences. His engagements have been met with overwhelming praise, with 97% of all audience members ranking him 5 out of 5 on statistically tracked programs over a 13-year period.

His clientele includes a remarkable range of organizations, from Fortune 1000 companies to government agencies and national associations, such as Price Waterhouse, Microsoft, Salesforce, Boston Scientific, GoGo, Abbott Labs, Cadillac, Multimedia Games, Kantor Operations, Briggs & Stratton, SAP, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the US Army, the Executive Branch, and the FDA, among many others.

Early in his career, Patrick's unique talents were recognized by Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson Company, which promoted him to their number one sales territory out of 300 representatives, with four promotions within a four-year period.

After a successful corporate tenure in marketing, management, project management, and sales, Patrick embraced his entrepreneurial spirit. Today, alongside his roles as a professional speaker and certified executive coach, he is also an insightful writer, a talented artist, and a dedicated real estate investor. Above all, Patrick cherishes his most important role as the father of two wonderful young adult children.

Patrick's personal journey toward his current career path was sparked by a transformative six-month sabbatical in Costa Rica. During this period, he delved into self-discovery, aligning himself with his authentic essence and setting a new direction. Inspired by this awakening, he established his own speaking and coaching business, driven by a profound sense of purpose.

Patrick has authored two insightful books, and he holds a Master's degree in business. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, he was elected President of The National Speakers Association of Illinois, leading a board of 12. His peers honored him with the prestigious "Member of the Year" award, and he was humbled to receive the "Nick Carter Award" for his unwavering enthusiasm and steadfast support of the speaking business.

His vision: "Empowering leaders to build organizations rooted in authenticity, fulfillment, empathy, and effectiveness."

Client's Kind Words

"Patrick McWard is the Speaker's Speaker. He interjects himself into the audience with courage and vulnerability, makes the connection and gets folks to take action. He is the best I have seen at any event in my career, and I have seen a lot!"

 

Director
American Bar Association

Patrick was my favorite speaker of them all! Poise, knowledge, empathy,­ Patrick is off the charts! He brought out the best in the participants and we really benefitted from the group feedback and exchange that he mediated and stimulated. What a wonderful Leader! Pat McWard is a tremendous asset. I would look forward to seeing him again in the future!

 

Manager
Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc

"Wonderful, exciting and inspirational! The stop/start idea was what I liked the best. The energy he gave was sincere and inspirational. I really took away lessons for my work and personal life!"

 

Manager 
Proassurance

“Patrick is very engaging and personable”….really knows how to communicate effectively and make everyone feel included” Think this workshop was the best I’ve ever attended in my 20 year career”

 

 

-Erik Andersen Museum of Science & Industry Chicago

Patrick was the best speaker of all the events I attended, voted best by our group!

 

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)

Well spoken, upbeat,  Patrick McWard is the best speaker I have ever had! I would recommend him to everyone for sure five stars!

 

Compliance Supervisor, I&D QA
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC

Patrick McWard, was amazing. Patrick is an excellent presenter. He speaks with knowledge and authority; makes it a safe environment to open up and share; he is funny, engaging, and considerate; it is clear that he lives the concepts he teaches.

 

Investor Relations
Motorola Solutions Inc.

Patrick was great, I’d like to act more like him.

 

Senior Manager
Hyundai Kia America

"Thank you for the gift you gave my team with your presentation. What I liked most was your passion, conviction & connection to the audience. I want you back soon!"

 

Manny Torres Sr. Human Resources Director US Cellular

"Thanks so much for being a part of our Liberty Mutual program. You are a wonderful speaker and carry so much passion in what you do. Excellent messages for both work and personal life! Again thank you!"

 

Michelle Jacobs Director of Claims Liberty Mutual

Some of Patrick’s clients who have hired him to speak:

A blue and white logo of food administration
A drawing of the seal of the department of homeland security.
A blue and white logo for abbott.
A red and white logo with an arrow pointing to the right.
A boston scientific logo and a btg logo.
A blue banner with white letters that say " challenge & christen ".
Ey logo with yellow and black letters
A blue and white logo of fresenius medical care.
A logo of an international harvester company.
A blue background with the word abbvie written in white.
A blue wall with the hyundai logo on it.
A picture of the word agency in an old style font.
Aba american bar association logo
A blue background with the letters gao in white.
A blue and white logo for the museum of science chicago.
A logo of liberty mutual
A red background with white letters that say " splc southern poverty law center ".
A logo of exelon is shown.
A red aca logo is shown.
A seal of the federal bureau of investigation.
A pepsi logo is shown in this picture.
A blue sky with stars and the word alpha
The department of health and human services seal.
A federal aviation administration logo.
A social security administration logo.
A seal of the united states special operations command.
A picture of the united states army logo.
A black and white image of kirkland & ellis llp
A logo of the junk clean company
A logo of discover financial services
Salesforce logo in a blue circle
A logo of us cellular
A seal that says treasury internal revenue service.
A green background with the letters bna and an arrow.
A red, black and white logo for eggs & strat.
A blue square with the words american express in it.
A logo of navistar international
A black and gold square with the word kantar written in it.
A blue and black logo for at & t.
A red logo of kellogg 's is shown.
A black and white logo of steelcase.
A logo of the american cancer society.
A black and white image of the classified venture logo.
A logo of pwc is shown.
A red and yellow logo for mcdonald 's.
A logo of mckinsey and company
A black and white image of the christian dior logo.
A blue and white logo of the united states postal service.
A blue cross and shield logo on a green background.
A green background with the word accenture written in black.
A blue and white logo for sap.
A black and white image of the name znation.
A silver wreath with a car logo in the center.
A red and white logo for the american arbitration association.
A black and white image of the lairo logo.
A logo of the company fraunhofer
A red and white coca-cola logo on a red background.
A seal of the department of justice
A seal that says office of the comptroller of the currency.
A picture of microsoft logo.
A logo of the junk clean company
A globe with an arrow around it.