Communication & Public Speaking Coaches, Events, and Resources

Hello and welcome to my profile! With a robust background in communications, I currently serve as an Executive Communications Manager at Google, where I have honed my skills in strategic messaging and crisis management. As a career coach, I specialize in CV preparation, interview coaching, and client outreach, leveraging my extensive experience to help clients effectively communicate their personal brand. My academic journey includes courses at Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School, further enriching my expertise in leadership and communication. Whether you're looking to refine your communication skills or navigate career transitions, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's connect and craft a strategy tailored to your success!

• 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

I went from someone who spent years believing my voice didn't matter to writing a memoir and speaking publicly about the most vulnerable parts of my story. This journey taught me that powerful communication isn't about having a perfect message—it's about having the courage to share your authentic truth and connect with others through your experiences. I help clients discover that their struggles, their neurodivergence, and their unique perspectives aren't obstacles to overcome in public speaking—they're exactly what makes their voice distinctive and necessary.

Welcome to my profile! With over a decade of experience as an executive communication coach, I specialize in helping executives enhance their communication and leadership skills. As a Business Communication Coach at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, I work with MBA and Executive MBA students to refine their presentation and leadership abilities. Additionally, as the CEO of Culture of Speak, I coach executives and leaders of Silicon Valley Tech Giants to speak persuasively and lead decisively, focusing on executive presence and strategic communication. My extensive teaching experience at San Jose State University further enriches my coaching approach, where I teach courses in public speaking, argumentation, teamwork, writing, business communication and leadership. Having coached hundreds of individuals, both 1:1 and in groups, I'm here to help you connect with your audience and inspire your team. Let's work together to elevate your communication skills!

10+ years of public speaking at conferences and on webinars and coaching students in the art of communications and public speaking. 10 years of training students to present and lead in small and large groups with confidence and poise. It's not just picturing your audience in their underwear, it's doing it with style and vibes that get them hanging on every word you're about to say. Working in Student Affairs for nearly 10 years, I coached college students of all levels in leading small teams of 5-or-fewer people, and large trainings of 20-or more. And it wasn't just about having a loud voice, or holding eye contact (both of which can work), it was about what they said AND about how it was said. It was knowing the audience, knowing the material and knowing how to deliver it in a way that made an impact. I'll walk you through how to do this, whether your a college student, an entry level professional or a seasoned pro that just hates getting in front of your colleagues to lead a presentation. It may not become your favorite thing to do, but together we'll make sure it's, at the least, less terrible and, if we're really lucky, something that you can actually enjoy.

I've been speaking in high-stakes settings since I was 12 years old — starting with campaign events in national politics and eventually presenting to policymakers, investors, and executives. I currently serve as an appointee to Governor Newsom and attend Stanford GSB where clear, persuasive communication isn't optional. I've also pitched to VCs, presented investment committee recommendations at a PE firm, and navigated the kind of rooms where how you say something matters as much as what you say. I coach people who need to get sharper for a specific moment — a big presentation, a job interview, an admissions interview, a pitch — as well as people who want to become more confident and deliberate communicators overall. I'm direct with feedback and I focus on structure, delivery, and presence rather than generic tips. If you want someone who's done it in real rooms, not just read about it, let's work together.

12 years as marketing director, pitching product launch and campaign to executives, agencies and wide audiences. Public speaker (LOW Key Note - Stanford GSB TED equivalent) Pitch Deck Wizard for SMEs and entrepreneurs Graphic designer skills and advisor for several start ups in the US, Europe and Africa

I have provided communications and speechwriting support to federal elected officials and c-suite executives.

Expertise in Communication Coaching Holly possesses a wealth of experience in communication coaching, having worked extensively with leaders at various levels to enhance their communication skills. Her background includes advanced training and certifications that supports her clients in improving their leadership presence through all types of communication. Customized Approach Holly is skilled at developing tailored communication strategies that align with each leader’s personal and professional goals. Her individualized approach ensures that the coaching is relevant and immediately applicable, leading to sustained improvements in communication effectiveness. Proven Track Record Holly's coaching portfolio showcases numerous success stories where leaders have significantly improved their communication effectiveness under her guidance. This track record includes facilitating workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions, and developing customized communication strategies that have led to measurable improvements in leadership performance. Strong Interpersonal Skills Holly's top CliftonStrengths—Relator, Self-Assurance, Learner, Context, and Individualization—equip her with the ability to build deep, trusting relationships with clients. These strengths enable her to tailor your coaching sessions to the unique communication needs of each leader, ensuring that her approach is both personalized and impactful. Excellent Communication Skills Holly's ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely is a hallmark of her coaching practice. She excels in breaking down intricate concepts into understandable, actionable steps, which helps leaders grasp and implement effective communication techniques. Commitment to Continuous Learning As a lifelong learner, Holly stays abreast of the latest developments and best practices in communication and leadership. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that her coaching methods are current, evidence-based, and highly effective. Facilitation and Training Experience Holly has extensive experience facilitating both online and in-person communication workshops, training sessions, and seminars. This experience has honed her ability to engage diverse audiences, foster interactive learning environments, and drive meaningful change through effective communication.

I help professionals sharpen their communication and public speaking so they can clearly convey complex ideas, inspire confidence, and tell their story with impact. Whether you’re preparing for a keynote, stakeholder briefing, or pitching an article idea to your favorite outlet, I’ll help you build the narrative structure to deliver your message with authority. My career spans finance, the military, policy, government, social entrepreneurship, and technology. I’ve led high-stakes briefings for senior defense leaders, written and published policy and technology analysis across a dozen outlets, and was awarded the Navy League’s Alfred Thayer Mahan Literary Award for my writing in national security. From pitching at the Pentagon to presenting at technology conferences, I’ve seen how the right message, delivered with clarity and confidence, can open doors. If you want to strengthen your voice I’d love to set up an introductory call to help you refine your presence and maximize your impact.