Michele Moreno
Stanford University
Forbes Coaches Council
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I help leaders replace self-doubt with confidence to become clear and persuasive communicators. After graduating from Stanford, I flexed my storytelling skills as a Silicon Valley staff writer for business guru Tom Peters and on 2 best-selling books by Guy Kawasaki. But I'd always dreamed of acting, packed my life into a U-Haul and learned from every Hollywood hard knock. I won acting roles on FX’s The Shield, ABC’s Boston Legal and NBC’s Parenthood, sang backup for soul legend Ray Charles and spent 10 years as an award-winning multimedia producer. A communication and storytelling coach, trainer and speaker since 2015, I've made 100+ appearances. My honors include: Forbes Coaches Council, Growthspace Top Expert and ICF-certifications ACC and CVPCC. With my experience in corporates and Hollywood, I have one wish for you: achieve the highest levels of communication based on your strengths and talent. Go forth with confidence!
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Why do I coach?
Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of acting. So I moved to Hollywood and got on the gameshow Hollywood Squares. Seeing the celebrity guest stars (Whoopi Goldberg, Big Bird), and live studio audience didn't unnerve me. But when the camera light went on I lost it -- millions of TV viewers witnessed my unraveling. I decided that one day in my life would not dictate the rest. So I took on-camera classes, found confidence coaches and 4 years later realized my acting dream, in a scene with William Shatner on the TV show "Boston Legal." Coaching made a difference for me. So now I want to give leaders, and those rising stars, confidence in their professional communication.
Work Experience
Contributor & Official Member
Forbes Coaches Council
October 2023 - Present
Chosen to be a Forbes Council influencer based on client ratings and results in coaching and training communication skills for leaders. I offer strategic development in: 🔹 Leadership Communication 🔹 Strategic Storytelling 🔹 Persuasion & Influence 🔹 Emotional Intelligence 🔹 Public Speaking 🔹 Conflict Resolution 🔹 Communicating with Executives
Communication Trainer and Coach
Strategic Talks
March 2015 - Present
I help leaders become clear and compelling when they speak, and have worked with ✅ Mercury Insurance ✅ Hyundai ✅ Airtable ✅ Siemens ✅ Baker Hughes ✅ Paypal ✅ ServiceNow TESTIMONIALS “I gained not only the tools to communicate with clarity and precision, but also the confidence to present with poise under pressure.” — Sr Manager | IDEAs Group Wipro “Michele’s coaching changed the way I communicate as a leader, and as a human.” Sr. Business Development Executive | Early Warning | Ex-Pay-Pal “This coaching allowed me to improve my executive presence and strategic thinking — using tools that I can easily put into practice. For example: ensuring my communication is focused on the priorities of the business and the person listening.” — Onboarding Specialist | Jobber “Helped me craft clear, concise stories that put the meaning behind my metrics. The result? I now have a more prestigious position.” — VP of Operations | MOD Pizza AWARDS Growthspace Top Expert award for 4.9/5 rating in Executive Communication coaching. Forbes Coaches Council Editor's Pick for "Strategic Storytelling" article American Marketing Association (Orange County) Storytelling honoree
Professional Actor
SAG
May 2004 - Present
As a coach/trainer in executive communication and executive presence, I draw upon my years as an actress in commercials, TV and independent projects. Acting professionally requires presence at the highest levels. ACTING TV - Boston Legal (CBS) - Parenthood (NBC) - The Shield (FX) - Standoff (Fox) INDEPENDENT FILM - Waiting for Tomorrow - A Simple Promise - M.O.G. COMMERCIALS - Truist Financial - Verizon Xbox is Here - USPS - Tork Napkins - Hallmark
Producer
Birdies Playhouse
September 1995 - November 2020
Served as producer at various Los Angeles studios, creating media mostly aimed at young audiences. BIRDIES PLAYHOUSE Children's music producer, winner of 2 Parents' Choice awards and CD of the Year from Creative Child Magazine. Songs featured on Scholastic's 2020 "PreK on My Way" series. Also produced and performed in live shows at venues such as - Santa Monica Pier - The Natural History Museum - Grand Park of Los Angeles - New Children's Museum San Diego. PLANET LINGO Helped produce and write webisodes for a 3D-animated series teaching English to young Japanese women. Reporting directly to the VP of Creative Development, our team developed stories, script and original characters and won approval across several departments. VARIOUS HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS Produced digital media as a freelancer for startups serving clients such as Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, New Line Cinema, Sony and more. Projects included: online education, animation and video games.
Education
Coachville
Professional Certified Coach CVPCC, Coaching
2015 - 2015
Coachville is ICF accredited, abiding by the ethics and guidelines outlined by the International Coach Federation – the global standard in coaching certification. To achieve CVPCC, I - passed a coaching practicum at the PCC (Professional coach) level - completed 125 hours of instruction at Coachville and - logged 500+ hours (at least 450 paid) of professional coaching.
Stanford University
B.A., Modern Thought and Literature
1987 - 1991
Graduated with Honors Activities and societies: Ram's Head Theatrical Society, Chorale.