Who is Laura?

Dr. Laura Sicola is a professional speaker, leadership communication coach and the founder of Vocal Impact Productions in Philadelphia, PA. Her mission is to help people confidently and authentically master the 3Cs of “Vocal Executive Presence”: to command the room, connect with the audience, and close the deal in any context.

She has presented to audiences in the US, Egypt, Japan, Spain, China and Germany, and provides 1:1 coaching for clients across the US and around the world.

Laura has spent over 20 years coaching, speaking, training, researching, teaching and publishing on language, cognition, culture, the voice and related effects on learning.

She has delivered keynotes, workshops, presentations, and training programs on topics ranging from leadership communication in diversity, persuasive speaking, conflict management, media training, intercultural business communication and presentation skills, to “managing up,” vocal empowerment for women, and delivering the business pitch.

Laura was also faculty in multiple programs at the University of Pennsylvania from 2001-2013, from which she also earned her PhD in educational linguistics.

Laura recognizes that while “CEO” and “President” are titles, “leadership” is an image, and regardless of one’s formal role or position, strong communication skills are fundamental to projecting your best leadership image, developing loyal, effective teams and establishing your ideal workplace culture, and ultimately maximizing one’s powers of persuasion and influence.

Laura is an advisor for the C-Suite Network™ and the SupporTED™/TED Fellows organization, has coached nearly a dozen TED speakers, and has given multiple TED talks on various TEDx stages.

She is on the advisory board for Women Network and the California Women’s Conference and has also offered continuing education credit programs for legal (CLE) and financial (CPE) professionals.

One of Laura’s sub-specialties is working with executives and other professionals for whom English is not their native language, helping them speak more clearly and present themselves more powerfully and effectively in American and international business contexts.

She has also guest-lectured at the Wharton School of Business, Temple University and Drexel University.

In addition to her doctorate, Laura has an MA in multicultural education, a bilingual teaching credential and a BA in international studies.

She speaks Spanish and Japanese (and pig-Latin), and is an avid swing dancer and chef.

Watch her TED talk: “Want to sound like a Leader? Start by saying your name right.”