Communication & Public Speaking Coaches

With my experience in the military and management consulting, I've presented to Generals and CEOs. Succeeding in these situations was critical for my career, but it wouldn't have been possible without the training I received from the Air Force, Bain and Harvard. With these strategies and frameworks, I've coached people on speeches, presentations, and interviews. Schedule a free intro call to see if I can help you.

From media interviews and keynote stages to performance reviews and 1:1s, I’ve spent my career helping people communicate with clarity and confidence. I coach professionals to find their authentic voice, tell better stories, and show up with presence—especially in high-stakes moments like interviews, presentations, and conflict conversations. Communication is a craft, and I help you sharpen it while staying true to yourself.

My approach to public speaking coaching blends the artistry of performance with the clarity of business communication. Before earning my MBA at Wharton, I spent years as an actor and performer, taking the stage before audiences of more than 600 people — experiences that taught me how to tell stories that land, use my voice with intention, and stay grounded under bright lights. In my professional life, those same skills became essential for pitching, presenting, and building trust in high-stakes finance and startup environments. I now host a podcast interviewing founders and leaders, a role that requires real-time storytelling, improvisation, and deep listening. I help clients — especially those who don’t think of themselves as “natural speakers” — find their voice, manage nerves, and communicate with confidence. Whether you’re preparing for a pitch, a presentation, or simply want to feel more at ease speaking up, I’ll help you develop a communication style that feels powerful, polished, and authentically yours.

Welcome to my profile! As a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) with extensive experience in communication coaching, I am passionate about helping individuals express themselves effectively and build influence. With a background in commercial Broadway theater and executive coaching at BetterUp, I have guided over 200 clients, including those from Fortune 500 companies, to enhance their communication skills and leadership presence. My approach is tailored to each client, focusing on areas such as public speaking, negotiation, and feedback, to ensure they achieve their personal and professional goals. Let's work together to unlock your full potential and make a lasting impact in your interactions. Come join me, I promise I don't bite, and we'll have a good time find your way to communication.

🏆 RECIPIENT OF LELAND TOP COACH AWARD 2026 🏆 ✨WHY CHOOSE ME: I am a professional ICF-Certified Coach and that has helped 1000's of clients and been featured in major news outlets such as Forbes, NBC, TEDx, and more. While I coach on a variety of executive and career topics, I have a specialty in executive presence and communication. I'm also a trained Voice Actor, and can teach you how to change your voice and overall communication style. Furthermore, I gave a TED talk on Executive Presence. ✨MY COMMUNICATION SPECIALITIES: • Executive Presence - I created the proprietary framework called the Espeland Method™ • Storytelling - I created the proprietary framework called the Story Formula™ • Voice Coaching • Communication • Public Speaking • Interview Preparation ✨WHO YOU ARE: • Executive to middle management to intern - any level • I proudly work with everyone—regardless of your race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual preference, religion, or anything else ✨WHAT BENEFITS CAN YOU EXPECT: • Increased Earning Potential and Promotions • Improved Confidence • Actionable Strategies • Interview Readiness • Stronger Negotiation Skills • Better Relationships ✨SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION: Contact Melanie Espeland for your free consultation today.

Public speaking and effective communications have been an integral part of my career as a founder, educator, and coach. To date, I’ve been Invited to keynote 18 conferences on 3 continents to total audiences of 15,000+. Through my coaching, I have helped clients prepare for everything from wedding speeches to interviews, difficult interpersonal conversations to stand up comedy sessions. Our work together will include: ✓ Writing & editing support on material development ✓ Video recordings of practice sessions with feedback for improving delivery, tone, cadence, and body language What can the power of better communications unlock in your personal and professional life?

I founded TalkMaze, a public speaking and education platform that grew to 20,000 members, 4 million video views, and over 5,000 participants across North America. I've delivered 4 TEDx talks, won the national Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, and received the Princess Diana Award for my work in youth education. I've spent years helping people go from terrified of speaking to confident on stage. Whether you're preparing for a presentation, a conference talk, a panel, or just want to stop dreading every meeting where you have to speak up, I help you structure your ideas, find your voice, and deliver with confidence. I grew up shy, and public speaking changed the trajectory of my life. I coach because I've seen it do the same for thousands of others.

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.

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.

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.