About Joel
Don't confuse me with a typical "public speaking coach." Your team's communication needs are broader, more complex, and more modern—and so are my skills.
I'm a workplace communications coach, speaker, and speechwriter who helps professionals get to the point and make their words matter in presentations, emails, videos, meetings, messaging apps, op-eds, blogs, speeches, talking points, conference panels, social media, and workplace conversations. I also share practical advice on using GenAI effectively and responsibly.
Because my coaching is so foundational, my clients span industries from healthcare, financial services, and biopharmaceutical science to cybersecurity, nonprofit advocacy, national defense, animal welfare, and social justice.
For 10 years, I served as Senior Director of Strategic and Executive Communications for a major national organization after holding senior communication and editorial roles with Paramount, PBS, and Time Inc. I’ve been an employee, a people manager, and a corporate leader, so I understand firsthand what it takes to communicate at work with clarity and confidence.
My published articles on business and leadership communications have appeared in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, CNBC, Newsweek. Inc., and Toastmaster Magazine. I've also been the featured guest on many business and communication podcasts.
My books include the bestseller "Get to the Point! Simplify, Sharpen, and Sell Your Message" and "The Language of Leadership: How to Engage and Inspire Your Team" and my essays have been published in The New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, The New York Daily News, The New York Post, New Jersey Monthly, and several "Chicken Soup for the Soul" anthologies.
A frequent keynote and conference speaker, I've delivered presentations at events hosted by the League of Southeastern Credit Unions, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications, and Sales and Marketing Executives of Topeka, as well as industry events including PRSA Icon, the Ragan Speechwriters Conference, the ALI Leadership & Executive Communication Conference, the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference, The Conference Board’s Corporate Communications Conference, and the World Conference of the Professional Speechwriters Association.
I'm also a former U.S. national champion and state champion collegiate public speaker and coached speech & debate teams for colleges including the University of Pennsylvania and Seton Hall University. In 2002, I was inducted into the National Forensic Association Hall of Fame for my caching and competing contributions.
I live in New Jersey with my wife and our rescued cats, and invite you to follow me on LinkedIn.