Meet Lee Moczygemba, Gene Barnwell Waugh Mentor Award Winner

Written by Hanna De Hoyos.

Lee Moczygemba, president of Amazing Speakers and Trainers International, is the winner of the Gene Barnwell Waugh Mentor Award. At the age of 91, Lee has the energy of a 19-year-old and continues to influence and amaze the people she trains and mentors. She calls herself a “late bloomer,” launching her career as a public speaking professional, trainer and consultant at the age of 50.  She has traveled the world, inspiring and teaching more than 3,000 professionals to speak and improve their presentation skills. Her leadership has won her many awards including the 2015 Kate Von Award for Inspiring Austin Women from SOS Leadership Institute.

How did you get started in the communications field?

At the age of five, my mother gave me elocution lessons because she wanted me to stand before people and speak without fear, as she was extremely shy herself. That training gave me life-long confidence in my ability to tell stories and make groups of people laugh. That type of communication, of course, consists of only one person talking, and the group listening.

My intercommunications experience first came from having a natural love of people and consequently making friends easily. I discovered a little book called, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” and it had a major influence on my personality.  Dale Carnegie taught me to listen to others and to be genuinely interested in them–instead of trying to get them interested in me. It worked! I discovered interpersonal skills and communication work hand-in-hand.

Years later, working for Exxon, I was introduced to communication workshops and found the subject so fascinating that I stated to read many books on the subject.  When I left the company to go into the training business, I decided to include communications (one-to-one), listening skills, and body language. My participants always favored the communications skills training above all the other development topics, and I definitely loved training people on the subject.

Tell us about your communications experience and your current position.

At the age 50, I became highly inspired and motivated in starting my own business. Not realizing exactly what I was getting myself into, I had an unbelievable reservoir of confidence, resolution and burning desire. After much searching, and a decent level of experience, I created an eight-point training program that included communication skills. This one project became my “bread and butter.” It was designed for personnel staff and I had zero competition. Exxon became my largest corporate client, and I taught communications skills to more than 3,000 employees over a ten-year span.

Along the way, I became a professional speaker and created a special program on communication skills. By the time I was 68, I was so busy, unknowingly, that my work life and my home life were completely out of sync. My husband wanted me to find the balance between my marriage and my career. I didn’t know how to do this, so I shut down my fabulous career.  However, I was not willing to adjust to retirement, and several months later I came up with the idea of a speaker’s bureau and founded Amazing Speakers & Trainers International.

How long have you been a mentor and what sparked your interest?

When I went to college at the age 19, I had worked two years previously for a large railroad company and had a measure of maturity and experience compared to the younger women.  They began asking me for advice and I was given the nickname, “Mother Lee.” When I graduated and began a new career, younger women still looked up to me as their trusted advisor, their confidant, and faithful source of encouragement.

Although I never realized I was mentoring them, it seemed natural for me to see potential in younger women and remind them about their particular gifts.  That continued throughout my entire adult life. Today, by coaching adults to speak publicly and professionally, I’m still doing it at the “pre-centurion” age of 91.

What does being a mentor mean to you and what do you find most rewarding?

Being a mentor means to me being respected, honored and trusted.  The most rewarding part is the “before and after.” I confess to the Pygmalion theory. My gift is to see unusual talent and potential in the people I coach, and it thrills me when they start to believe in themselves. They experience a whole new level of confidence and pride they never knew. The most rewarding moment comes when they outperform themselves. I love seeing my protégées emerge from beginners to professionals. When they receive a standing ovation, I also receive a standing ovation.  Honestly, it’s a thrill to see them go from apprentices to professionals.

What do you find most challenging?

It can be challenging when I occasionally have a protégée who does not realize that they must take care of themselves and always be prepared; this behavior results in a sub-level performance.

What is the best advice you have given a mentee?

You have to come through and be everything the client expects you to be, and much more. I tell my speakers that they have everything they need to be successful, but they must be willing to pour their hearts and souls to the audience. However, keep in mind you can’t please everyone all the time.

What does WCA mean to you?

Women Communicators of Austin is one of the finest organizations in the city.  I never heard anything but good things about it.  Great women accomplishing great things—and helping each other succeed.

Here’s a few words from some of Lee’s mentees and colleagues:

“From Lee, I’ve learned a lot about how to thrive as a professional woman, and I’ve been inspired to pursue my dreams. Most of all, I’ve had the joy of getting to know this remarkable woman who is chock-full of joie de vivre and passion for empowering others by generously sharing her know-how and experience. And getting voice mails with that young-girl laugh!”  – Julie Wickert

“I have had the privilege or working with Lee over the last few years, and it’s truly been a “life and career game changer” for me. Her biggest gift to me, and to so many others who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Lee, is her very special and unique ability to instill in you to never give up, to always be a constant learner, always give and support others, and to always be the very best version of you that you can be.”  – Darlene Templeton

Hanna De Hoyos is a communications specialist for Capital Metro.