Public Speaking & Presentation Coach | Confidence & Communication

Krista D.

I am a professional communication and presentation coach with 5–10 years of teaching and coaching experience, primarily working one-on-one with adults and professionals. In my current and previous roles, I have coached clients on public speaking, presentation skills, professional communication, confidence, mindset, and executive presence. I have worked with C-suite executives and managers at Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies, helping them prepare for presentations, interviews, important meetings, pitches, and other high-stakes communication situations. I also help leaders communicate effectively with their teams, motivate and engage employees, and navigate challenging conversations.

My approach is highly individualized and combines instruction, discussion, practice, and real-time feedback. Depending on a student's goals, sessions may include presentation rehearsal, improving structure and storytelling, strengthening vocal delivery and pacing, building confidence, or managing nervousness, overthinking, perfectionism, and fear of judgment. I believe effective communication involves both practical skills and mindset, so I help students become more confident while developing an authentic communication style.

I also worked for many years as a professional actor, filming for movies, television, and commercials. This experience gave me extensive training in voice, presence, body language, performance, memorization, and communicating effectively in front of a camera and an audience.

I hold an M.A. in Psychoanalysis from the New York School for Modern Psychoanalysis and a B.F.A. from New York University. My graduate training gives me additional perspective on interpersonal dynamics, self-perception, and the internal factors that can affect confidence and communication. I use this perspective within a coaching and educational context to help students become clearer, more confident, and more effective communicators.