Cynthia Barnes

Founder and CEO

Salesforce

Recognized by Salesforce as one of the Top Sales Influencers to Follow 4X (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

 Salesforce Top Sales Influencer to Follow (4X)

Thank You; It's True.

From teaching women how to reach the top 1% to empowering them to own it—I've transformed my expertise into a revolutionary methodology that helps professional women Own Their Awesome with four simple words: "Thank you; it's true."

As the author of "Reach the Top 1%: A Strategic Game Plan for Warrior Women in Sales" and founder of the National Association of Women Sales Professionals, I witnessed firsthand how even the highest achievers struggle to own their success. This insight led to creating the transformative "Thank you; it's true" framework, which turns the simple act of accepting compliments into a powerful catalyst for authentic confidence.

Key Focus Areas:
• Transforming high-achieving women from reaching success to owning it
• Pioneering behavioral change strategies that eliminate imposter syndrome
• Delivering high-impact keynotes and workshops on authentic confidence-building
• Leading a global movement to revolutionize how women receive and internalize recognition
• Developing scalable programs that create systemic change in workplace cultures

Impact:
• Created the groundbreaking "Thank you; it's true" framework
• Built the NAWSP from inception to 15,000 members
• Featured TEDx speaker on confidence and authentic leadership
• LinkedIn Top Voice | 4X Salesforce Top Influencer

My mission has evolved from showing women how to achieve success to empowering them to fully own it. Through the power of "Thank you; it's true," I'm helping professional women transform their relationship with confidence and create lasting cultural change.

Chief Transformation Officer & Founder 

TED Conferences

• Delivered engaging keynote presentations and immersive workshops at TED Conferences to equip teams with the mindsets and toolsets for success.
• Collaborated with event organizers to tailor talks on various topics to inspire and motivate audiences.
• Received accolades for impactful talks that left lasting impressions on attendees and sparked meaningful conversations.

TEDx Speaker | Keynote & SKO Speaker

RedBoxMe in Collaboration with Cartier

RedBoxMe in Collaboration with Cartier is at the intersection of philanthropy, art, cinema, leadership, literature, sustainability, and more, all driven by deep passion and commitment from our group of members. RedBoxMe was architected by Cartier Awards Laureate and innovator Candice Pascoal alongside the President of Cartier International, Cyrille Vigneron. At its core, RedBoxMe is a platform that curates a diverse and inclusive community of thought leaders, creatives, and individuals from various backgrounds for the expansion of thought. We gather around a number of intellectual and creative opportunities, both online and in person, creating a dynamic and engaging space that goes beyond traditional knowledge consumption.

Luminary Thinker

National Association of Women Sales Professionals

∙ Built a global community of 15,000 women sales professionals, offering targeted mentorship, training programs, and resources that enhanced confidence and career advancement.
∙ Spearheaded strategic partnerships with 50+ global organizations to embed equity-focused hiring and development strategies, achieving measurable increases in diversity and retention.
∙ Designed and launched scalable programs like NAWSP:EVOLVE, addressing systemic challenges and driving industry-wide transformation.

Total Quality Logistics

• Secured and expanded pivotal freight brokerage accounts, identifying prospective clients and sealing lucrative deals.
• Exceeded growth targets by 200%, showcasing exceptional ability to set and surpass ambitious DEI goals.
• Amplified revenue streams to $2 million within eighteen months, ensuring long-term financial viability.

Senior Account Executive, Logistics

Mary Kay Inc.

• Drove customer interest and revenue for a cosmetics company through market research and successful deal closures.
• Initiated employee surveys to enhance organizational communication and understanding.

Director of Employee Engagement

Women leave millions on the table every year—in salary, promotions, and business deals—because they hesitate to ask for what they deserve.

🔹 I help high-achieving women own their worth, negotiate fearlessly, and close with confidence—whether in the boardroom, the sales floor, or their career.

🔹 As a TEDx speaker, executive coach, and Fortune 500 consultant, I’ve worked with leaders at companies like Google, Bridgestone, and New York Life to empower women to stop settling and start owning their value.

🔹 WHAT I TEACH:
✅ How to negotiate with confidence and secure what you’re worth
✅ How to own your presence, influence, and executive authority
✅ How to sell yourself, your ideas, and your expertise like a pro

📢 FEATURED KEYNOTE: “Own Your Ask™ – The Art of Getting What You Deserve”
🔥 Perfect for sales teams, corporate leadership events, and women’s executive groups.

📅 Want me to speak at your next event? Let’s talk!

DM me or visit www.cynthia-barnes.com

* Founded NAWSP to offer executive-level consultation and develop DEI-specific strategies tailored for various industries, serving both U.S.-based and international clients.
* Advised C-Suite Leadership on optimal strategies to achieve short- and long-term objectives, sharing insights on trends, best practices, and their potential impacts on business models.
* Conducted Organizational Assessments to identify areas of improvement and recommended enhanced policies, processes, and procedures to clients.
* Developed and Facilitated Customized Curriculums focusing on recruitment and retention for over 50 organizations nationally and internationally.
* Implemented Employee Training and Development Programs to foster skill enhancement and professional growth.
* Established Performance Metrics and Measurement Systems to assess employee productivity and effectiveness.
* Orchestrated DE&I Roadmaps, aligning organizational goals with actionable diversity initiatives.
Increased Representation of underrepresented populations by 64% through targeted recruiting and mentorship programs.
* Conducted Equity Analysis across the entire employment life cycle, including recruitment, retention, interviews, performance evaluations, and separations.
* Developed ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) to promote inclusivity and address specific employee needs and concerns.
* Managed Talent and Succession Planning Programs to ensure organizational continuity and growth.
* Promoted a Positive and Inclusive Organizational Culture, enhancing team member engagement and productivity.
* Focused on Risk Management to mitigate potential organizational challenges and disruptions.
* Delivered Value by creating customized curricula and training for multiple industries, enhancing organizational capability and adaptability.
* Shared Industry Insights on current and emerging trends, enabling clients to adapt and innovate in their respective domains.

"Can you walk me through your salary expectations?"

I slid my number across the table. $127K.

The hiring manager's eyebrows shot up. "That's... ambitious for someone with your background."

My background: 8 years building revenue systems. $14M in documented value creation. Three frameworks running at my previous company.

"We were thinking more like $85K," he said. "But there's room to grow."

I folded. Took $92K. Convinced myself the title mattered more than the math.

Six months later, I'm training the new guy they hired. His starting salary? $135K. His experience? Five years. His documented wins? "Strong potential."

Same role. Same team. Same hiring manager.
Different invoice.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠:

They knew my number was right. They just knew I'd accept less.

They didn't negotiate my value. They negotiated my confidence.

They weren't questioning my worth. They were testing my documentation.

The script from that failed negotiation still burns:
"I appreciate the opportunity..."
"I understand budget constraints..."
"I'm flexible on compensation..."

Translation: I'll subsidize your profits with my discount.

Now? Different script entirely.

"My rate reflects the value I create."
"Here's the documentation."
"This number is firm."

No apologies. No explanations. No negotiations on my worth.

Because they don't pay you what you're worth.
They pay you what you refuse to work without.

That failed negotiation? Cost me $35K annually. $175K over five years. Before compound interest. Before opportunity cost. Before the mental tax of watching Brad make more for less.

To every Black woman about to negotiate:

Your number isn't ambitious. Their offer is extraction.
Your experience isn't lacking. Their evaluation is.
Your documentation isn't excessive. It's evidence.

Stop negotiating against yourself before they even counter.
Stop accepting their framing of your value.
Stop believing growth potential pays bills.

They have the budget. They always did.
They're just waiting to see if you know it too.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. That hiring manager? Reached out last year for consulting help. My day rate is now triple what that annual raise would've been. He said it was "outside their budget." I said that sounded like a personal problem. Documentation has a beautiful memory.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #SalaryNegotiation #KnowYourWorth

Founder & CEO, Black Women’s Wealth Lab™ | Closing the pay gap for 1,000,000 Black women by 2040 | Turning corporate extraction into income

A poised woman with short natural curls sits on the floor in a softly lit, elegant living room. She wears a fitted nude-toned tank top and taupe lounge pants, holding a floral teacup in one hand with a laptop in front of her. Her jewelry is minimal and refined, and the neutral décor behind her creates a serene, upscale atmosphere. 

Yes, I invoiced my church $10K.

The pastor's jaw dropped. "But we're doing God's work."

"So am I," I said. "And God's work deserves proper funding."

See, they'd been running community programs for 15 years. Free financial literacy. Free job training. Free business coaching. All led by Black women who tithed, served, and subsidized.

The youth minister was teaching coding bootcamps after her 9-to-5.
The deacon's wife ran entrepreneurship workshops on Saturdays.
Sister Johnson's grant-writing saved them $2M.

All for "the glory."
None for the invoice.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡:

The coding bootcamp they gave away? Worth $5K per student.
The entrepreneurship program? Corporations pay $25K for that.
Sister Johnson's grant expertise? Consultants charge $10K per proposal.

They were sitting on $500K in annual program revenue.
Giving it away while Black women burned out.
Calling it ministry while we subsidized their mission.

I didn't just invoice them. I taught them to invoice everyone else.

Started charging corporations for diversity training they'd been doing free.
Created certification programs that companies paid to send employees to.
Turned "community service" into community revenue.

Six months later:
• $500K in program fees generated
• 12 Black women instructors now paid $150/hour
• Zero burnout, maximum impact

The pastor called it a miracle.

I called it pricing our gifts properly.

Because even in sacred spaces, Black women's contributions have value. Our expertise doesn't become free because we're in the sanctuary. Our brilliance doesn't get discounted at the church door.

That $10K invoice? It was for the framework that generated the $500K.

They paid it. In full. On time.

Because transformation costs. Whether it's in boardrooms or church basements.

To every Black woman giving away her genius for "the cause":

Your cause needs funding.
Your gifts deserve compensation.
Your service has a price tag.

Even Jesus said the worker deserves their wages.

Start invoicing. Even your church.
Especially your church.

Because we can't pour from empty cups.
But we can invoice for the pitcher.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. Three other churches just hired me to implement the same framework. $15K each. Turns out, sacred spaces everywhere need to learn how to value Black women's work. I'm teaching them. At market rate.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #InvoiceYourWorth #SacredAndPaid #ThankYouItsTrue

Founder & CEO, Black Women’s Wealth Lab™ | Closing the extraction gap for 1,000,000 Black women by 2040

Black background with white text quote reading 'Even Jesus said the worker deserves their wages.' Black Women's Wealth Lab logo appears at top in gold/yellow. Tagline underneath reads 'Economic justice for Black women who built the wealth.'

The Sales Leadership Academy

In founding the Sales Leadership Academy, I wanted to bring a more relevant approach to sales leadership considering the times we are in - incorporating the four strategic pathways of systemizing sales leadership, commercializing self leadership, optimising strategy and contextualizing story. 

Apart from sales, marketing and delivery, other roles I am responsible for include, but are not limited to:

Designing and delivering transformational programs (Self-Led Programs, Cohort Group Mentoring, an Elite Mastermind and 1:1 coaching/mentoring) for B2B sales leaders seeking to scale influence, increase impact, and commercialize their expertise.

Developing proprietary IP, leadership frameworks, and programs that address real-world sales leadership challenges.

Coaching and mentoring emerging and established sales leaders to drive revenue, increase visibility, and lead with conviction.

Overseeing strategy, branding, and content for all Academy programs and keynotes.

Building thought leadership and community through speaking, content creation, and executive-level engagement.

Leading the design and evolution of flagship programs such as The Revenue and Role Clarity System™, The CoachSella Experience™, and The Sales Leader of Influence Signature Program

Chief Influence Officer

Sales Leaders Global LLC

Whether you need to inspire a large audience at a conference or energize your team for a critical initiative, I deliver keynotes that educate, inspire, and shift thinking toward impactful results. 

From 18-minute TED-style talks to one-hour power-packed sessions, my optional in-house or breakout workshops include (but are not limited to):

💥'Deliberate Accountability: Turning Plans Into Results' 
🔺 Focus: Teaching leaders to act with intention, hold themselves and others accountable, and execute strategies effectively.

💥'Deliberate Momentum: Deliberate Momentum: Building Resilience, Adaptability, and Antifragility'
🔺 Focus: Equipping leaders with the tools and mindset to thrive in uncertainty, adapt to change, and emerge stronger from challenges

Each workshop is aligned to the Deliberate Disruption Model and designed to resonate with association business owners and sales teams alike.

To check availability and explore my programs, visit www.BernadetteMcClelland.com

Sales KickOff and Keynote Speaker on Sales Leadership & the Power of Deliberate Disruption™

Harvard Business School

I have had the pleasure of being in the first cohort of HBS students who incorporated 'professional selling skills' into their MBA program and continue to work with them as the program begins to grow even more.

Sales Coach and Mentor

Breakthrough

In-prison volunteer opportunities include coaching our people at our milestone events and in-classroom coaching sessions to provide additional content and feedback across our 32 week program that includes soft skills and entrepreneurial mindset skills.  'The Challenge' consists of Kickoff, Mock Interviews, The Business Pitch, The Business Pitch Competition and Graduation.  We currently run our programming inside four facilities here in Colorado: La Vista Correctional Facility, Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility, Colorado State Penitentiary, and Centennial Correctional Facility.

Volunteer Mentor and Coach

University of Colorado Boulder - Leeds School of Business

Working with the Leeds School of Business (Colorado University) as a coach and mentor to Under Graduate Students on their path to professional sales is an honour and one I don't take lightly.

Sales Leaders Global LLC 

Sales Leaders Global LLC is a full-service sales training and leadership consultancy. We partner with businesses ($10M–$100M) to optimize pipelines, elevate sales performance, and enhance leadership capabilities. Our goal: streamline operations and drive measurable financial results.

Our services include consulting, coaching, training, and SKO speaking, all designed to deliver impactful outcomes.

To learn how we can add value to your organization, visit www.salesleadersglobal.com.

Anecdote International

I am an official Anecdote partner certified to deliver the Story Powered Selling (SPS) Program and have been fortunate to have helped roll this program out to hundreds of CTOs, Account Managers and Leaders within Nokia Global (APAC, LATAM, Europe, India and NAM)

Anecdote Partner

APACSMA – The E-University for Sales

Bringing selling and sales leadership skills to sales teams and leaders in the APJ region.

Associate Sales Facilitator and Sales Coach

Robbins Research International

In March 2010, I was honored to join an elite team of just 16 high-performance coaches globally, serving as Tony Robbins’ Master Coach across 12 APAC countries. Working with business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders, I delivered transformative coaching and achieved exceptional results.

Whilst I did not drink the cool-aid, one of my proudest moments was speaking at Tony Robbins' Unleash The Power Within, where I broke the company record for coaching sales from the stage  - a testament to my ability to connect with audiences and drive action.

“Bernadette McClelland—you’re a superstar! Best to you!”
— Tony Robbins, Peak Performance Expert

“Huge congratulations on an amazing breakout in Sydney! You converted a record number of clients into coaching. So proud of you!”
— Marc Von Musser, Director of Coaching, Tony Robbins Companies

"The Anthony Robbins Coaching Program is unlike any other in the world. Before our coaches are selected and intensely trained and certified in Anthony Robbins' technologies, they must already be certified coaches with a proven track record. Robbins Results coaching positions cannot be purchased. They are earned.

Every coach has not only achieved outstanding results in his or her own life, but has an unrivaled commitment to their profession with more than 250 hours of face-to-face and virtual training. There are fewer than 60 coaches worldwide who meet our high standards. This rigorous selection process is what makes our coaching program the best in the industry."

Asia Pacific's Master Coach for Anthony Robbins

Express Pet Supplies Wholesalers and Importers

As the founder and CEO of Express Pet Supplies and its subsidiary Woof Pets, I led an innovative importer, wholesaler, and retailer of pet supplies across Australia. Recognized for excellence, we won the 2005 Telstra Award for Best New Business and were Runner-Up for the 2006 Powercorp Award for Customer Service.

Our marketing efforts included producing a bi-weekly radio program that engaged the local community with guest appearances and sponsorships, helping us stand out against two major competitors. We actively supported local schools, hospitals, animal rescue centers, and children, earning a reputation as "Australia’s Friendliest Pet Supplies."

While the business achieved remarkable success, the lessons learned during this chapter—including resilience, adaptability, and community-driven leadership—have become integral to the work I do today.

CEO and Owner

Disruption and Business Growth for B2B Sales Environments | Bring More Depth, Disruption and Differentiation| Author| International & Influential High Content Female Speaker

Most sales leaders were top performers in their own right.
They knew how to win.
They knew how to drive business.

But leadership is a different game, today.

Managing numbers isn't enough.
Telling people what to do doesn’t create buy-in.
And just 'doing more' won’t move the needle in today’s messy, uncertain world.

What’s missing?
Conviction.
Influence.
And the ability to lead from the inside out - strategically!

That’s where I come in.

I help B2B sales leaders stop managing activity and start leading with clarity, confidence, and conviction- so they can build high-performing teams, scale their influence, and commercialize the expertise that sets them apart.

Through high-energy keynotes and hands-on leadership experiences, I help leaders shift how they think, feel, and behave, because if you don’t shift deliberately, something or someone else will do it to you or for you.

What I Help Sales Leaders Do:
✅ Step into strategic presence that commands respect and drives decisions
✅ Build systems instead of chaos - no more 'just' chasing KPIs that no longer matter
✅ Hold their team to account without micromanaging or letting the tail wag the dog
✅ Influence internal stakeholders to gain buy-in and be all-in.
✅ Own and monetize their expertise so as to move their career beyond the resume or recommendation

Because leadership today isn’t about more process or pressure. You need to own your personal power.

Results From the Field:
💥 $1.7M deal closed: Two questions from my group coaching changed everything
💥 70% increase in prospecting success: One mindset shift, one team, exponential results
💥 4x registrants for a live event: One CEO clarified his core values - and his lead generation followed
💥 30% lift in productivity: One sales manager stopped guessing and built his own leadership system

Who I Work With:
✔️ Sales leaders who want to move beyond the numbers and multiply their leadership impact
✔️ Entrepreneurial CEOs scaling their sales teams and commercial impact
✔️ Executive teams ready for transformation and not another motivational rah-rah session.

Happy to share...
The Sales Leadership Academy is LIVE and built for leaders ready to scale their influence, multiply their impact, and commercialize their wisdom. (Not just their resumes.)

If you’re ready to lead with conviction, and develop a team who does the same, then let’s talk.

Because disruption is inevitable however, your response to it is optional.

And choosing to lead is always deliberate.

📞 +1 720 346 075
🌐 www.BernadetteMcClelland.com and 🌐 www.SalesLeadershipAcademy.com

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Bernadette McClelland

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The Battle

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Cynthia Barnes's LinkedIn Performance

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