Communication & Public Speaking

As a communication coach, I bring a holistic approach to every session, recognizing that effective communication requires a delicate balance of empathy, clarity, audience awareness, and, most importantly, alignment with the speaker’s authentic voice. My process begins with active listening, ensuring I fully understand each client’s goals, challenges, and unique communication style. I continuously adapt my coaching methods to meet the specific needs of executives and leaders, focusing on skills like confident self-presentation, audience engagement, and adaptability. In my coaching, I emphasize measurable progress. Past clients have reported up to a 80% increase in confidence when speaking to groups, as well as stronger audience engagement and clearer message retention rates. Drawing from my extensive experience in training, public health, and community engagement, I offer a well-rounded perspective on communication that extends beyond words to truly embody empathy and vision. Whether it’s crafting a speech, leading a team, or navigating tough conversations, I equip clients with tools that foster growth, helping them communicate with a sense of purpose and confidence that resonates with any audience.

• Stanford GSB MBA Candidate – Class of 2027 • Coaching | Case prepped and mentored 30+ undergraduate and MBA students • Bain | Worked for Bain & Co. before school, focusing on retail and consumer case work • Startup | Grew wholesale for a men’s athleisure brand from $0 to $4M • Resumes | Edited 50+ resumes in undergrad and reviewed 200+ resumes as Bain recruiting lead • Speech & Writing | Wrote and delivered commencement speech for Miami University Farmer School of Business graduation ceremony • Interview Training | Trained as Bain interviewer to score case interviews and behavioral questions • GMAT / Test-taking | Scored in highest percentile of GMAT test-takers

As a former Senate press secretary and communications strategist in Washington, D.C., I help leaders command the room, master high-stakes media interactions, and drive their professional goals with precision. Drawing on deep experience across Capitol Hill, presidential campaigns, federal agencies, and corporate and public affairs environments, I bring high-pressure expertise directly to your executive development. Whether you need to sharpen your public speaking, execute flawless crisis management, or build a persuasive media strategy, I am here to ensure your message lands with clarity, authority, and impact. Let’s connect and elevate your communication strategy together.

Most public speaking advice is designed to make you safe, polished, and ultimately forgettable. I am here to make you undeniable. For 20 years, I have controlled the narrative on the most unforgiving stages imaginable. As a former CNN National Correspondent, I decoded complex global crises for millions of viewers on live television under immense pressure. Behind the scenes, I am the secret weapon and crisis manager for C suite executives, national political figures, and prominent civil rights leaders navigating make or break moments. I do not just teach you how to project your voice or where to put your hands. I teach you how to command a room, turn dense data into a gripping story, and play offense with your messaging. Whether you are stepping into a hostile boardroom, facing the financial press, or delivering a career defining keynote, you need more than just good diction. You need a defensible narrative and the absolute confidence to deliver it. If you are ready to stop chasing the conversation and start creating it, let us get to work.

I have been a public speaker since age 14. In 2022, I ranked 5th speaker overall at NSDA Lincoln-Douglas Debate Nationals. Throughout undergrad, I was Vice President of Claremont McKenna College's Model United Nations Team (ranked in the top 5-10 in North America). I've interviewed with panels for multiple fellowships (Rhodes, Truman) and successfully navigated case interviews at BCG and Bain with less than a week of preparation.

Welcome to my Leland page! I'm a workplace communications coach, speaker, and speechwriter who helps professionals and executives get to the point in a wide range of communications, including presentations, meetings, pitches, emails, op-eds, conference panels, and social media. My clients include American Express, Synchrony Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Meta, Neurocrine Biosciences, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Brennan Center for Justice. ​My approach focuses on helping professionals identify, sharpen, and champion key ideas that move audiences to feel, think, and act. Unlike coaches who focus primarily on delivery, I help clients develop clear, concise, powerful points that form the foundation of persuasive communication. ​An author and frequent writer, my books include the bestseller "Get to the Point! Simplify, Sharpen, and Sell Your Message" and "The Language of Leadership: How to Engage and Inspire Your Team," and my published articles on business and leadership communications appear in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, CNBC, Newsweek, Inc., and Toastmaster Magazine. I've also been featured on many business and communication podcasts. ​For 10 years, I served as Senior Director of Strategic and Executive Communications for a major national organization. Prior to that, I held senior communications and editorial roles at Paramount, PBS, and Time Inc. Those experiences give me unique insight into the dynamics of modern workplace communication from the perspective of a manager and leader, not just a consultant. A frequent keynote and conference speaker, I've delivered presentations at events hosted by the League of Southeastern Credit Unions, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications, as well as industry conferences including PRSA Icon, the Ragan Speechwriters Conference, the ALI Leadership & Executive Communication Conference, the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference, and the World Conference of the Professional Speechwriters Association. ​I'm also a former U.S. national champion and state champion collegiate public speaker who coached speech & debate teams at colleges including the University of Pennsylvania and Seton Hall University. In 2002, I was inducted into the National Forensic Association Hall of Fame for my contributions as both a coach and competitor. ​Reach out to me to help you or your teams get to the point and make your words matter!

Welcome to my profile! With a robust background in strategic communications and public relations, I bring a wealth of experience from leading roles at The Home Depot, Pretium, and the NFL. My expertise lies in crafting compelling narratives and executing high-impact media strategies, including managing major sponsorships like the FIFA World Cup and orchestrating executive communications for NFL leadership. I have a proven track record of enhancing brand presence and driving engagement through innovative digital strategies and media campaigns. Whether you're looking to refine your communication skills or develop a strategic PR plan, I'm here to help you achieve your goals. Let's connect and elevate your communication strategy together!

Welcome to my profile! I bring a wealth of experience to my communication coaching. My MBA from Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management, where I was a Roy H. Park Leadership Fellow, has equipped me with advanced skills in strategic thinking and leadership. I have coached numerous individuals, helping them enhance their communication skills to excel in professional settings. Whether you're looking to improve your presentation skills, refine your strategic messaging, or boost your confidence in public speaking, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's connect and tailor a plan to achieve your communication goals! If you click on to someone else, and this is all I get to share with you: verbal punctuation is essential.

Top 20 Female Founder of marketing consultancy turned seasoned international keynote speaker training others on; - Message clarity, content development, script-writing - Practise delivery, rehearsals - Mindset, confidence-building, nerve management

You have come to the right place! Let's get you to communicate with more confidence in the boardroom, nail your next job interview, command attention in your next presentation, show up powerfully on a podcast, or scale toward the world's most prestigious global stages. I have helped countless executives find their voice, own their presence and command rooms across the world. Several, like Bisila Bokoko, former Executive Director of the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce (featured in the video), now grace the world's biggest stages and screens full time, represented by top bureaus and featured on Bloomberg, BBC, CNN and Good Morning America. So what qualifies me? I have taught at the executive level at Ivy Leagues, and worn every hat on stage: host, panelist, moderator and chair. Where ? United Nations Cannes Lions WWD CEO Summit GITEX Global Oxford Sonar+D to name but a few, across the US, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Clients have also tapped into my background as an accredited journalist to master media training and own every press opportunity. During the pandemic, I developed an extremely popular online course on the art of non verbal communication in digital spaces commissioned by EdTech leader FutureLearn, endorsed by Zoom and featured by ELLE magazine: 'Power Dressing in the Zoom Era'. I have also sat on the other side of the table producing panels, conferences and symposiums on behalf of SXSW, Oxford University, the German government and more. I know precisely what producers look for when selecting speakers that truly move an audience. If this is your next move whether you are just beginning or ready to scale, let's build together!