MEET THE TEAM!
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Eleni Kelakos, CSP, Founder-- Speaker, Coach, Trainer and Presence Builder!
Eleni Kelakos, CSP, a.k.a. the Speaker Whisperer®, is a presence and presentation expert, and the President of The Eleni Group, established in 2003. She uses performance techniques learned over twenty years as a professional actress and award-winning, nationally touring, singer/songwriter to help speakers and business leaders across the globe speak & present with more authenticity, confidence, and impact.
When she’s not coaching individuals or facilitating training at companies like General Motors, Allstate, Little Caesar’s Pizza, and Kubota Tractors, Eleni practices what she preaches, firing up hearts and minds with her signature keynote presentations at conferences nationwide.
A double major in Theatre and Semiotics from Brown University, Eleni has appeared on big and little screens (e.g., Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, multiple comedic skits on Late Night With David Letterman, Beverly Hills 90210) and in theatrical productions spanning the country (Off-Broadway at La Mama E.T.C., San Diego Repertory Theater, The Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis). She’s a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild/A.F.T.R.A, the National Speakers Association, and a past president of the National Speakers Association of Michigan.
An award-winning, nationally touring singer/songwriter, Eleni has produced and recorded four acclaimed music CDs—I WILL FLY, TO THE BONE, WHERE I COME FROM and TOUCH THE SKY. Her songs have been featured in the film Jill and Jac, and danced to by America’s Got Talent semi-finalist Beth Ann Robinson. And she’s sung the national anthem at Shea Stadium for three (winning!) Mets games.
A graduate in both Theatre Arts and Semiotics from Brown University, Eleni is a past president of the Michigan chapter of the National Speakers Association. She is the author of two books, Touch the Sky: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Truth, Make Your Mark (which was a gold medal winner of the 2014 Global e-Book Awards) and the 2021 #1 Amazon Bestseller/#1 Amazon Best New Release, Claim the Stage! A Woman’s Guide to Speaking Up, Standing Out, and Taking Leadership. Her third book, Charismatic Presence: Five Principles for Magnetic Presentations, is scheduled to be released in late 2024.
She lives happily with her husband, and their big, red cat, Max, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

What is the CSP, or Certified Speaking Professional designation?
Eleni is proud to have been awarded a Certified Speaking Professional Designation. The CSP designation, which was established in 1980, is conferred by the National Speakers Association (NSA) to speakers who have met strict qualifying criteria. Fewer than one in five members of the National Speakers Association have been able to meet the CSP’s rigorous eligibility requirements. This means that when you hire a CSP you can be assured that the speaker is a proven professional capable of delivering presentations at the highest level of value and engagement.

Jim Fleming, Director of Business Development
Jim is responsible for attracting, booking, and negotiating training and speaking engagements for Eleni Kelakos. He is the founder and president of Fleming Artists, a music talent agency known and respected in the industry for its emphasis on fairness and excellence. In his forty years as an agent, promoter and consultant, Jim has been responsible for the touring careers of over 100 artists. He has represented Ani Di Franco, Jeff Daniels, Judy Collins, Capitol Steps, Shane Koyczan, Tom Paxton, and Chicago’s Second City touring company, to name a few. In 2016, Fleming Artists was one of five agencies nominated for Independent Agency of the Year by Pollstar, the music industry’s “official” trade magazine. High points in his career have included producing Grand Hotel’s Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival (for the past 30-plus years), programming the Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival, and booking the musical acts for the events surrounding Pope John Paul’s visit to Detroit. Prior to co-founding—and acting as producer for– the Black Sheep Theatre in 1976, Jim was Acting Vice President of Student Affairs at Chicago State University. Jim received his M.A. in College Student Personnel/Administration of Higher Education from Michigan State University, where he started several campus arts groups, including Mariah, a concert series which featured young, up-and coming artists like Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat and John Prine. He received his B.A. from Ohio University, where he helped to organize the Student Center Program Board, was the 1971 Co-Director of the Ohio University Folk Festival, and was selected for Who’s Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

Awesome Admin: Problem Solver Extraordinaire
Need to get in touch with Eleni? You can write to her directly at eleni@theelenigroup.com or to her awesome admin, at admin@theelenigroup.com.