Executive Communication

Don’t Just Give a Talk — Make an Impact

Kimberly on stage in Mountain View, CA coaching entrepreneurs from around the globe to share their stories with confidence
Kimberly MacLean on stage leading interview with B. Pagels-Minor and Bennet Kasper-Williams at Lesbians Who Tech San Francisco 2022

Who I work with:

  • Professionals in highly visible or high-stakes communication roles
  • Executives and senior leaders
  • People managers and leadership teams
  • Artistic Directors, Executive Directors, and artists in leadership roles
  • Founders and directors in mission-driven organizations

This work is especially valuable for leaders whose communication carries organizational, cultural, or reputational impact.

Leaders Who Are Often “The Only”

I have particular depth of experience working with leaders who are often the only—or one of few—in the rooms they occupy: women leaders, LGBTQIA+ leaders, leaders of color, disabled leaders, and neurodivergent leaders./

Many of my clients have been told they’re “too much,” asked to mask parts of themselves, or overlooked despite their expertise. My work—rooted in disability justice, cultural transformation, and my M.Ed. in Educational Best Practices—helps you communicate with clarity, confidence, and integrity without erasing who you are.

We unlearn harmful messages (“tone down your passion,” “erase your culture,” “mask your neurodivergence”) and instead amplify your natural strengths, build on your unique story, and let your values guide how you show up.

This is especially relevant in arts organizations, tech companies, and mission-driven spaces where power, visibility, and representation are deeply intertwined. If you’re navigating leadership or communication in spaces not built with you in mind, this work may be a particularly strong fit.


Kimberly MacLean coaching a room of non-profit leaders in executive presence and sharing their message. Kimberly is striking a power pose

Executive Communication & Presence Coaching Can Support:

What If Public Speaking Felt Like a Powerful Extension of Your Values? Whether you’re preparing for a keynote, leading a board meeting, or shaping your leadership voice. Together, we craft narratives that resonate with your audience and feel aligned with who you are.

  • High-stakes presentations and public speaking
  • Executive presence, confidence, and credibility
  • Strategic leadership communication
  • Navigating conflict, tension, or change
  • Values-aligned messaging during complex moments

Kimberly A. MacLean on stage in Germany teaching women from across Europe storytelling and communicating with confidence. Kimberly stands in front of an image of herself at another conference making almost the same hand motions.

My Approach to Executive Communication & Presence

Public speaking, executive presence, leadership communication, no matter what we call it, you need more than generic delivery tips and posture cues. With three decades across the globe in theatre, storytelling, leadership, and DEIJB consulting, I help people move past anxiety into authentic presence. My coaching is never one-size-fits-all—I weave together methods that get to the root of confidence and connection:

  • Theater & improvisation tools
  • Neuroscience-based confidence practices
  • Growth mindset principles
  • Authenticity over performance
  • Personalized prep and practice frameworks
  • Trauma-informed coaching
  • Storytelling mastery techniques

This blend ensures you’re not just learning tips—you’re building a sustainable, embodied way of speaking that is uniquely yours.


Kimberly at the first Speechless Inc (now Freestyle Love Supreme) in San Francisco giving a completely improvised talk in front of a slide of Medea.

What You’ll Gain from our work together:

The goal isn’t perfection – it’s connection. You’ll learn to present content in ways that engage your audience and discover techniques that make presenting feel natural rather than performative.

  • Presentation narrative skills: transform info into stories your audience remembers.
  • Communication confidence: sound like yourself—even under pressure.
  • Presentation preparation strategies: feel ready instead of rushed.
  • Strategic messaging development: connect with your audience.
  • Warm-up techniques: voice, breath, and body—bring your best energy to the room.
  • Grounding tools: stay present and centered.
  • Smart Q&A strategies: handle tough questions with clarity and ease.

A Note on Confidence, Nerves, and Visibility

Many of the executives and leaders I work with are highly accomplished — and still experience significant anxiety around visibility, public speaking, or high-stakes communication.


This includes leaders navigating accent bias or linguistic difference when communicating to audiences shaped by dominant language norms or media expectations; leaders stepping into more public or external-facing roles — including video and digital platforms; and leaders who experience stage fright despite years of success. Clients often report that addressing these challenges unlocks not just stronger presentations, but greater leadership presence, influence, and ease across their work.


High achievement does not eliminate nervous systems, fear, or vulnerability. We are humans first — regardless of title or tenure. My work meets leaders exactly where they are — with practical tools, nervous-system-aware support, and deep respect for their expertise — so confidence and clarity are built without shame or performance masks. Who you are and what makes you unique are among your greatest assets — and an essential part of your story.


Coaching Pathways

An investment in yourself and your leadership.
Whether you’re preparing for a high-stakes moment, supporting a leadership team, or strengthening executive presence over time, these pathways are designed to meet you where you are.

For leadership teams, arts organizations, and mission-driven companies preparing for high-visibility moments or navigating change. Sessions can begin with a workshop and continue with recurring meetings tailored to your needs. This pathway is ideal when communication outcomes extend beyond one individual and impact culture, alignment, or organizational credibility.

This work supports:

  • Executive and leadership team communication
  • Conference, keynote, or board-facing presentations
  • Organizational storytelling and alignment
  • Building confidence and clarity in high-stakes settings

Investment: Custom packages available.

Engagements may be delivered virtually or in person. In-person work is scoped separately and includes additional fees.

Ongoing one-on-one coaching for executives, senior leaders, and professionals in highly visible roles who want sustained support. This is best suited for executives and senior leaders who want continuity, depth, and strategic support across multiple high-stakes moments.

Ideal if you want to:

  • Strengthen leadership communication
  • Refine executive presence
  • Prepare for multiple high-stakes moments
  • Practice fielding Q&A

3-Session Online Package (60 min each)
Investment: $650

Virtual coaching allows for greater flexibility and continuity. In-person sessions are available by request.

Questions about format, access, or fit?
Let’s talk

Focused, short-term support for a specific upcoming presentation, interview, or leadership moment. Many clients begin with individual coaching and continue into executive or team engagements.

Includes:

  • Nervous system–aware warmups
  • Authentic delivery and presence
  • Storytelling and audience connection
  • Practical feedback you can implement immediately

1-Session Online (90 minutes)
Investment: $325

What some of my clients have to say.

Ways to Watch and Share

Need something to show HR, your leadership, or other powers that be? This one page overview is ready to do some heavey lifting.

Executive Presence/Public Speaking Coaching FAQs

Q1: What makes this coaching different?
It’s not about memorizing scripts — it’s about developing authentic confidence and executive presence through storytelling, neuroscience, nervous-system-aware practices, and joy-based learning

Read more Public Speaking Coaching FAQs

Q2: Who is this for?
Many of my clients are senior leaders, executives, founders, and professionals in highly visible or high-stakes roles who want their communication to better reflect their expertise – whether for interviews, presentations, or high-stakes talks. Really, it’s for anyone who wants to build tools, practices, and techniques to intentionally improve any presentation or communication opportunity.

Q3: Do I need to have a presentation ready?
Not at all. Not at all. Executive communication coaching isn’t only about a single presentation. We can focus on an upcoming talk or use sessions to strengthen your overall speaking confidence and delivery. I have many clients who start out wanting to build up their skill set and comfort or confidence with public speaking, who then reach out later when they have a specific presentation they want to give. Then we talk about how/when to apply the tools that work best for them and we build the story, discuss the use of slides, and utilize me as a sounding board, audience, and cheerleader.

Q4: Can I use professional development (PD) funds?
Yes! Many clients use PD, leadership development, or communication training budgets to cover these sessions. I can provide documentation for approval if needed. Whatever your situation, we will work to support your time, budget, and needs.

Q5: Do you offer team or group sessions?
Yes — I work with leadership teams, executive cohorts, conference speakers, and staff cohorts to build shared presentation tools and communication confidence. Because I have a unique combination well-practiced offerings that I can pull from while creating bespoke offerings, we build to meet your needs. Some groups want one workshop that hits all the basics, while others want to kick off with an intro workshop and then offer 1:1 individualized coaching for presenters. This work is especially helpful during moments of organizational change, growth, or increased public visibility.

Q6: Are sessions virtual or in person?
Both options are available. I coach globally online, and locally in the San Francisco Bay Area – and have traveled to all continents but Antarctica and Africa so far for work. I have coached clients online in Africa, so I hope I make it there in person one day. I love to meet leaders in person or online, especially as online removes so many barriers that might exist for in-person work. In-person engagements are available by request and typically include additional fees to account for travel, preparation, and on-site facilitation.

Q7: What if I get really nervous?
You’re a normal human being. Many of the executives and leaders I work with experience stage fright or anxiety around visibility — even after years of success. Believe it or not, I’m a pretty shy introvert myself, so I especially love working with folks who have stage fright. I’ve been a performer for decades and still get nervous, but I’ve learned to channel those nerves into positive attributes that work for me rather than against me. That’s exactly what we’ll work on — practical tools to manage anxiety, regulate your nervous system, strengthen leadership presence, and make speaking feel natural again — and maybe even fun.

Q8: Is this therapy or performance coaching?

This work is not therapy. While I am trauma-informed and nervous-system-aware (and many clients tell me our time together feels like therapy), my focus is on practical communication tools, storytelling, leadership presence, and applied skill-building. Clients often find the work supportive and grounding — but it is always in service of clearer, more effective communication.


Whether you’re presenting to your board, preparing a quarterly report, speaking at major conferences, or just want to improve how you share ideas in meetings, let’s transform your relationship with public speaking from anxiety to authenticity.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific speaking goals and challenges.