Laura Sicola

Founder & Principal @ Laura Sicola

About

🔹 Helping Leaders Speak So Others Follow Most people think influence is about what you say. But transformational leaders know it’s about how others experience you — especially when it matters most. I’m Dr. Laura Sicola, and I help executive leaders master the Three Cs of strategic influence: 👉 Command the room 👉 Connect with the audience 👉 Close the deal This isn’t about presentation tips or performance tricks. It’s about developing the executive presence and communication strategy that get real results — promotions, buy-in, board seats, and brand credibility. Yes, I’ll help you sound more confident — but I’m not a “voice coach.” I’m the coach organizations call when their leaders need to show up powerfully, think strategically, and influence outcomes. Who I Work With: CEOs and senior executives refining their message for the board, media, or global team High-potentials preparing for promotion or expanded leadership Founders and thought leaders pitching ideas, movements, or missions Organizations building a culture of leadership communication that gets results What My Clients Get: Executive presence that builds trust and drives decisions Clarity in high-stakes messaging (strategy, feedback, crisis, change) Confidence to lead in any room — live, remote, or on stage Strategic tools to influence up, down, and across the org chart Alignment between what they say, how they say it, and how people experience it The most effective leaders don’t just “talk.” They move people to act. If you’re ready to build your leadership brand, clarify your message, and influence with intention — let’s connect.

Country

City

United States

Industry

Professional Training & Coaching

Skill

Training and Development (HR), Succession Planning, Leadership, Public Speaking, Entrepreneurship, Strategy, Program Development, International Relations, Higher Education, Research, Curriculum Design, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Training, Workshop Facilitation, Intercultural Communication, Presentation Coaching, Cross-cultural Teams, Personal Development, Curriculum Development

Experience

Founder & Principal

Laura Sicola

2024-1 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Speaking is STRATEGY. When you need to get all key stakeholders on board with your vision, I help you craft the right message and deliver it the right way so that you get everyone rowing in the same direction, and get real results.

Founder of Vocal Impact Productions

Laura Sicola

2013-3 - 2023-12 · 10 yrs 10 mos

Philadelphia, PA

I turn leaders into master influencers and helping you get out of your own way by closing the gap between how you WANT to come across, how you THINK you come across, and how you ACTUALLY come across when you speak, in order to make the impression you need and get the results you want. Learn to master the Three Cs of Vocal Executive Presence so you can COMMAND the room, CONNECT with your audience, and CLOSE the deal!

Board Member

Adoption Center

2021-1 - Present · 5 yrs 9 mos

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Creating permanent environments for children in foster care through public awareness, advocacy and family finding. "There are no unwanted children, just unfound families."

Affiliate

Mercator XXI

2009 - Present · 17 yrs

Intercultural communication adviser

Podcast Host

Speaking to Influence: Communication Secrets of the C-Suite

2020-6 - 2024-12 · 4 yrs 7 mos

Philadelphia, PA

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-to-influence/id1515649028 "Speaking to Influence: Communication Secrets of the C-Suite" is a unique podcast where executives of for-profit and non-profit organizations specifically discuss the importance of good communication as an essential leadership skill to be successful. They share lessons about how to influence others and mistakes made along the way, what they look for in hiring and promoting, how they feel about public speaking and conflict resolution and more. If you aspire to greater opportunities and success in your career, you can't afford to miss these insights!

Advisor, Contributing Editor

The C-Suite Network

2017-2 - 2020-2 · 3 yrs 1 mo

Greater Philadelphia Area

C-Suite Network is a private online community reserved exclusively for business executives with VP Level careers and above. Through it, I have a weekly column on leadership communication, and I provide coaching for those who want to improve their executive presence, public speaking and other executive communication skills such as how to be effective on camera, in front of the board, when presenting to investors, and in creating and leading loyal and effective teams. http://www.c-suiteadvisors.com/advisor/laura-sicola/

Chief Learning Officer

Institute for Global Student Success

2013-4 - 2016-9 · 3 yrs 6 mos

New York, NY

Founder

Sicola Consulting Group

2008-3 - 2014-2 · 6 yrs

Primary services: Business English programs for professionals who speak English as a second/additional language. We offer 100% customized programs in: * accent training (pronunciation/intelligibility) * public speaking and presentations * executive language skills (e.g. diplomacy, negotiation), * e-mail etiquette and professional writing * intercultural communication * leading and participating in meetings and more Additional services: Teacher education and professional development programs Professional development workshops for schools, districts, and administrators on strategies for working with English language learners in mainstream academic classrooms, especially in light of the new Common Core State Standards.

Lecturer

University of Pennsylvania

2005 - 2014-1 · 9 yrs

Philadelphia, PA

Teacher-educator at the Graduate School of Education; Lecturing in MS-TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program for students who want to be English language teachers. Teaching courses in: * Fieldwork in TESOL/Practicum * Approaches and Methods in TESOL * Educational Linguistics