1. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 1 of 12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
Ruby Newell-Legner, CSP getting sworn in as President of the
National Speakers Association 7/21/2015
I opened my speech by telling the story about attending my first NSA-CO meeting April 24,
1993. That day I brought home a Speakers’ Directory and wrote a note to my husband Rich.
It said:
“Someday, My Dear, with your continued love and support I’ll be in here. 
This one’s for you! Love you, RNL”
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

2. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 2 of 12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
As part of my speech, I distributed cards like the one below and I encouraged everyone to write
a note to someone who inspired them. This note came from my dear friend Pilar Ortiz
(pictured above) who I appointed as co-chair of “Voices of Experience®” a monthly recording of
tips for speakers sent to all members of NSA. For 11 years, she was a news caster for Univision
in Tampa, FL and she is originally from Columbia. I had the opportunity to appoint more than
30 speakers to serve various roles during the year I serve as president. It was an incredible
difficult decision as I had more than 130 colleagues step forward and offer to help.
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

3. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 3 of 12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
At the end of my acceptance speech I invited my husband, Rich, out on stage to thank him for his support –
and he surprised me with roses.
m
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

4. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 4 of 12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
Rich and Ruby back stage in the green room before the swearing in process.
A visual interpreter captured the whole conference –
even my presidential acceptance speech.
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

5. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 5 of 12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
Ruby presenting to the NSA Chapter Leadership Program which is made up
of the leadership teams of 35 NSA Chapters around the USA.
We did a number of videotaping sessions at the Convention. This filming was with fellow NSA Board
Member, Monica Wolford, discussing the new NSA Membership Categories.
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

6. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 6 of 12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
This is the fifth year we have offered a Sports Celebrity Speakers Workshop to introduce
professional athletes to the National Speakers Association.
So I could tend to my elevated responsibilities, I turned the Sports Celebrity Speaker Workshop
over to an athlete who has been attending since year one. John Register did a great job.
Former Denver Bronco, Karl Mecklenburg was our guest speaker.
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

7. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 7 of 12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
The French Speakers Association had a champagne reception at the conference
and I was an honored guest.
At the end of our presentation on Speaking Globally, we were presented with real champagne from
France. Pictured here with Scott Friedman (USA), Frank Furness (United Kingdom), Niels Brabandt
(Germany) and Christine Morlet (France).
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

8. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 8 of 12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
The NSA-Colorado Chapter threw me a celebratory reception and had two large cut outs of me made.
Here I am offering a word of thanks for their support over the last 20 years. They had everyone write
notes of support and put them on the cutouts. Yes, I cried when I read them!
A dear friend even folded her note like the notes I get from Rich for every trip. He always folds them
and puts the day I should open it on the outside. My friends know us well.
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

9. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 9 of 12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
Rich and Ruby all dressed up for the CPAE Banquet We shared a table with my Mastermind Buddy and
former Denver Bronco, Karl Mecklenburg and his wife Kathi.
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

10. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 10 of
12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
Packing up to leave the hotel I had to do just one more pose with the lectern the production crew let me
keep in my hotel room to practice my acceptance speech. I never speak behind a lectern and based on
my rehearsal they knew I needed some time to rehearse with it. That and the fabulous coaching of Lou
Heckler and Barry Banther made it so much more comfortable. I really wanted to deliver every word the
way I wrote my speech so I opted to read it and I am glad I did. The comments afterwards were so
heartwarming and many attendees said I made them cry. 
The beautiful roses (and chocolates) Rich sent the day I arrived in Washington, DC.
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

11. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 11 of
12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
Flying home first class with the man of my dreams. I was still so high I didn’t think I needed an airplane.
It has been a whirlwind week and oh so memorable.
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/

12. The beautiful journey of becoming the President of the National Speakers Association Page 12 of
12
at the NSA Convention “Influence 2015” in Washington, DC. 1700 attendees.
These flowers arrived the day after we got home. They were addressed to “Madam President”
from a colleague, friend and mentor, Randy Gage.
For more information about the National Speakers Association, Call 480.968.2552
or visit our website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org/join/