Hi, I’m Marianna.
I, along with my hand-picked team of coaches, blend my improv and theater background, business savvy, mindfulness, and a dash of humor to help you not just survive your upcoming presentation, but actually enjoy it. (Trust me, you can get there. I promise.)
⚡️ We turn sweaty palms into applause.
⚡️ We replace that stomach knot with a spark of excitement.
And we do it without making you memorize stiff scripts or pretend to be someone you’re not.
Because when you can command a room—whether it’s a boardroom, a ballroom, or a Zoom room—you don’t just speak, you lead. And dare I say… you’ll get to a point where you can have fun every step of the way.
But I didn’t start out coaching professionals.
I started out trying to make strangers laugh…on purpose.
From improv stages at Second City to stand-up open mics in dimly lit clubs, or the Sears commercial I acted in (I was the mom buying an oven!)—let’s just say I’ve learned a thing or two about turning stage fright into stage might.
I love the adventure of speaking to a crowd!
Because you’re here, I’m guessing you don’t.
In fact, I’ll bet the thought of speaking on stage, leading a meeting, interviewing for that promotion, or fielding questions from the media (to name a few) feels right up there with eating a hive of bees.
You can learn how to rewire your fight-or-flight response to public speaking.
I know that may feel hard to believe, but over the past 20+ years, I’ve helped more than 25,000 professionals go from “Please, no, not me!” to “Bring it on!” —and a good number of them have gone on to become in-demand keynote speakers. I know for a fact that you can do this.
Get out of your head.
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Organize your thoughts.
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Stop rambling.
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Navigate your nerves.
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Rock your TED talk.
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Connect with your audience.
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Lead better meetings.
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Tell a great story.
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Stop "umming" and other anxious fillers.
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Add humor.
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Slow down and relax.
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Master "on the spot" moments.
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Get out of your head. ✱ Organize your thoughts. ✱ Stop rambling. ✱ Navigate your nerves. ✱ Rock your TED talk. ✱ Connect with your audience. ✱ Lead better meetings. ✱ Tell a great story. ✱ Stop "umming" and other anxious fillers. ✱ Add humor. ✱ Slow down and relax. ✱ Master "on the spot" moments. ✱
Here’s the secret all those years on stage (and coaching thousands of clients) have taught me:
Public speaking isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being human in front of other humans.
Your audience doesn’t want a flawless robot. Snooze.
They want someone real.
Someone they can relate to.
Someone with an authentic personality and an engaging point of view—even if you’re presenting at a budget meeting.
When you understand that and practice it (with a skilled guide teaching you how to ditch the “ums” and stay on track), your comfort zone expands.
And the best part of expanding your comfort zone around public speaking?
You become a magnet for opportunities.
OUR CLIENT BRIAN PUT IT PERFECTLY…
"Working with Marianna was like upgrading from a handwritten map to a GPS! She helped me sharpen the core message of our company, so that it landed with clarity and confidence. She encouraged me to distill our story, making every word count. And most importantly she helped me connect emotionally with the audience. Whether you’re pitching or presenting, Marianna is the coach who’ll make sure you don’t just speak, but that you resonate!"
— BRIAN MCGOVERN | CEO, THE BABY ACADEMY
Whether you’re a new speaker or a seasoned presenter, we understand the ingrained fears holding you back—and we know how to dismantle them.
Our collaborative workshops and coaching sessions use on-your-feet exercises and real-world strategies—far beyond “make eye contact” or “try this power pose.”
Clients often look forward to their sessions because every call builds real momentum toward their goals, with practical tools they can use right away.
OUR CLIENT, MAC, HAS THIS TO SAY…
“I used to struggle with the preparation and delivery of my presentations, but now I have strategies to support me. I am more efficient when preparing for meetings, and feel much more comfortable when presenting and answering questions. My most recent meetings have all gone well – Marianna’s coaching was invaluable and exceeded my expectations.”
— MAC SCHWEPPE | FINANCIAL ADVISOR | THE SCHWEPPE GROUP
A FEW MORE DETAILS ABOUT MY BACKGROUND + PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS:
Founder + Executive Director of the Chicago Writers Conference
Author of 21 Ways to Engage Your Audience
Member, Association for Corporate Growth, Chicago
Committee member,
ACG Chicago Women’s NetworkLapsed ukulele player
Occasional stand-up comic
Storyteller - I perform storytelling in and around Chicago
BA in English, Northern Illinois University
MFA in Creative Non-Fiction, Goucher College
Graduate of the Second City Conservatory
Faculty Certificate in Experiential Learning from Loyola University Chicago
I taught Business and Professional Speaking and Interpersonal Communications at Loyola University Chicago in the School of Communications
Three-time Pecha-Kucha Presenter
-My P-K “Pay Attention to the Brown M&Ms” was chosen as “Presentation of the Day”Member & People Engagement Committee Member - NextUp Chicago
I’m a Growth Coach for Future Founders, a not-for-profit committed to fostering inclusion and diversity in the world of start-ups
GETTING STARTED IS EASY
Let’s set up a 30-minute intro meeting so I can learn more about your public speaking goals and challenges.
That meeting, interview, or presentation you’ve been dreading?
It doesn’t have to keep you up at night.
With one of our compassionate, skilled coaches by your side, it can become something you actually shine at.
Bring your questions, and let’s do this!
