Learn from the Masters

World-class expertise dedicated to your speaking excellence

Our faculty comprises internationally recognized communication experts, performance coaches, and accomplished speakers who bring decades of elite training experience.

Excellence Through Expert Guidance

We believe that mastery emerges from the combination of expert coaching, deliberate practice, and personalized feedback. Our coaches are selected not only for their expertise but for their ability to unlock your unique potential.

Personalized Attention

Every speaker receives individualized coaching tailored to their specific goals and communication context

Evidence-Based Methods

Our techniques are grounded in research from neuroscience, psychology, and performance studies

Constructive Excellence

We provide honest, detailed feedback designed to accelerate your development

Ongoing Mentorship

Your relationship with your coach extends beyond your program graduation

Dr. Elizabeth Hartman

Founder & Chief Learning Officer

PhD Communication Studies, Stanford University | Certified Executive Coach (ICF) | 25+ years experience

Dr. Hartman has coached three Nobel laureates, numerous Fortune 100 CEOs, and political leaders across four continents. Her research on persuasive communication has been published in leading academic journals, and her methods are taught at business schools worldwide. Prior to founding Ultriva, she served as Head of Executive Communication at a global consulting firm and was a visiting professor at Harvard Kennedy School.

Areas of Expertise

  • Executive presence and leadership communication
  • High-stakes presentation coaching
  • Persuasion and influence strategies
  • Crisis communication
  • Cross-cultural communication

Notable Achievements

  • Authored 'The Commanding Voice: Leadership Through Strategic Communication'
  • Keynote speaker at International Communication Association Conference
  • Featured expert in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and The Economist
  • Recipient of the Excellence in Executive Education Award

"True mastery emerges when technique becomes invisible and your authentic voice commands the room. My role is to refine your natural strengths while eliminating what holds you back."

Marcus Chen

Director of Executive Programs

MBA Harvard Business School | Certified Executive Coach (ICF) | Former VP Corporate Communications

Marcus brings 15 years of corporate leadership experience to his coaching practice. As VP of Corporate Communications for a Fortune 500 technology company, he led global communication strategies and coached hundreds of executives. His unique blend of business acumen and communication expertise helps leaders align their speaking with strategic objectives. Marcus specializes in boardroom presentations, investor relations, and stakeholder communication.

Areas of Expertise

  • Board and investor presentations
  • Strategic communication planning
  • Executive team alignment
  • Change management communication
  • Corporate storytelling

Notable Achievements

  • Led communication strategy for three successful IPOs
  • Coached 50+ executives to C-suite positions
  • Regular contributor to Chief Executive Magazine
  • Adjunct faculty at INSEAD Executive Education

"Business leaders must communicate with the same strategic precision they bring to other decisions. I help executives make every word count toward their objectives."

Sophia Laurent

Head of Curriculum Development & Master Storytelling Coach

MA Rhetoric, University of California Berkeley | TEDx Speaker Coach | Author

Sophia has coached over 100 TEDx speakers and numerous keynote presenters at major international conferences. Her background in classical rhetoric combined with modern narrative techniques creates a powerful framework for memorable speaking. As an accomplished speaker herself, Sophia has delivered keynotes across 30 countries. Her book 'The Persuasive Mind: Science and Art of Influential Speaking' is required reading in communication programs worldwide.

Areas of Expertise

  • Keynote development and delivery
  • Storytelling and narrative structure
  • Stage presence and performance
  • Conference speaking
  • TEDx talk coaching

Notable Achievements

  • Authored bestselling 'The Persuasive Mind'
  • Coached 15 speakers to viral TED talks (5M+ combined views)
  • Named Top 10 Speaking Coaches by Speaker Magazine
  • Delivered keynotes at SXSW, Web Summit, and Davos

"Great speakers understand that facts inform but stories transform. I help you craft narratives that your audiences will remember and retell."

Dr. Rajesh Patel

Senior Coach - Voice & Performance Specialist

PhD Theatre & Performance Studies | Certified Voice Coach | Former Professional Actor

Dr. Patel combines his background in professional theatre with expertise in voice science to help speakers unlock their full vocal potential. He has trained actors, broadcasters, and business leaders for over 20 years. His specialized work in voice coaching has helped speakers overcome vocal fatigue, enhance vocal authority, and develop signature speaking styles. Rajesh's approach integrates breath work, resonance training, and performance psychology.

Areas of Expertise

  • Vocal power and resonance
  • Performance psychology
  • Physical presence and movement
  • Broadcast and media coaching
  • Accent modification and clarity

Notable Achievements

  • Voice coach for three national theatre companies
  • Developed proprietary 'Resonant Leadership Voice' program
  • Featured in Voice and Speech Review journal
  • Trained broadcast journalists for BBC and ABC

"Your voice is your instrument. With proper technique and practice, you can make it resonate with power, clarity, and authenticity that captivates any audience."

Jennifer O'Connor

Senior Coach - Media & Broadcast Specialist

Former Network Television Anchor | Media Training Expert | 18 years broadcast experience

Jennifer spent 18 years as a network television journalist and anchor before transitioning to media coaching. Her insider knowledge of how media works, what journalists want, and how to excel on camera makes her an invaluable coach for anyone facing media scrutiny. Jennifer has prepared CEOs for crisis interviews, politicians for debates, and experts for documentary appearances. Her practical, no-nonsense approach helps speakers project confidence in any media environment.

Areas of Expertise

  • Television and video interviews
  • Crisis communication
  • Media relations strategy
  • On-camera confidence
  • Sound bite creation

Notable Achievements

  • 18 years as network news anchor and correspondent
  • Prepared 200+ executives for major media appearances
  • Media advisor during three corporate crises
  • Emmy Award winner for investigative journalism

"The camera reveals truth. My job is to help you appear as confident, credible, and compelling on camera as you are in person."

David Kowalski

Senior Coach - Persuasion & Influence Specialist

MA Psychology | Certified Negotiation Expert | Former Political Strategist

David's background in political strategy and negotiation psychology brings a unique perspective to speaking coaching. He has advised political campaigns, corporate negotiations, and advocacy organizations on persuasive communication. His deep understanding of cognitive biases, decision-making psychology, and rhetorical frameworks helps speakers craft messages that genuinely influence thinking and behavior. David specializes in high-stakes persuasion situations.

Areas of Expertise

  • Persuasion psychology
  • Negotiation communication
  • Argumentation and debate
  • Stakeholder influence
  • Behavioral change communication

Notable Achievements

  • Communication strategist for successful political campaigns
  • Published researcher in persuasion psychology
  • Trained corporate negotiation teams for Fortune 500 companies
  • Guest lecturer at Wharton School of Business

"Persuasion isn't manipulation—it's the art of presenting ideas in ways that align with how people actually make decisions. I teach you that art."

Our Extended Faculty

In addition to our core coaching team, we work with a network of specialized associate coaches who provide expertise in specific domains.

Dr. Amelia Brooks

Scientific Communication

PhD Neuroscience, TED Fellow

Carlos Mendoza

Cross-Cultural Communication

Former UN Interpreter, 6 languages

Sarah Mitchell

Virtual Presentation Excellence

Digital Communication Expert, 12 years

Dr. James Williams

Educational Speaking

EdD, Award-winning Professor

Commitment to Excellence

All Ultriva coaches meet rigorous standards:

  • Minimum 10 years professional experience in communication or related field
  • Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) or equivalent professional credentials
  • Proven track record of coaching high-performing individuals
  • Ongoing professional development and certification maintenance
  • Adherence to ICF (International Coaching Federation) ethical guidelines
  • Regular peer review and quality assessment

We invest extensively in coach development to ensure you receive the highest caliber guidance available.

Coached to Excellence

"Dr. Hartman saw potential in me I didn't know existed. Her feedback was precise, honest, and transformative. She didn't just make me a better speaker—she made me a better leader."

Michael Chen

CEO, Innovation Partners

"Sophia's storytelling coaching completely changed how I structure my keynotes. Her guidance helped me create a signature talk that's now booked six months in advance."

Patricia Lawson

Professional Speaker & Author

"Jennifer's media training was invaluable when our company faced a crisis. Her coaching helped me navigate difficult interviews with confidence and protect our reputation."

Robert Thompson

VP Communications, Tech Corp

Personalized Coach Matching

During your initial consultation, we'll discuss your goals, speaking context, and development needs to match you with the ideal coach for your journey.

Our matching considers your industry, speaking goals, learning style, and specific areas for development to ensure optimal coach-client fit.

Experience World-Class Coaching

Schedule your consultation to meet your potential coach and discover how our expertise can elevate your speaking.

Book Your Consultation