Chicago is one of the most dynamic business and cultural hubs in the United States. From corporate boardrooms to conference stages and startup pitch events, strong communication skills are essential for professionals who want to stand out. Whether you’re leading meetings, delivering keynote speeches, pitching investors, or speaking to the media, working with a professional public speaking coach can dramatically elevate your confidence and presence.
If you’re looking to improve your communication skills, here are five of the best public speaking coaches in Chicago, each offering a unique approach to helping professionals communicate with clarity, authority, and impact.
1. Bernard Hiller – bernardhiller.com
Bernard Hiller is widely recognized as one of the most transformational public speaking and performance coaches in the world. His coaching blends public speaking training, acting techniques, and personal development to help individuals become confident, authentic communicators.
What makes Bernard’s approach unique is his focus on unlocking a speaker’s authentic voice. Rather than relying on rigid formulas, he works with clients to connect emotionally with their message and audience. His training helps speakers develop stage presence, confidence, and storytelling skills that resonate deeply with listeners.
Professionals in Chicago often work with Bernard to prepare for high-stakes presentations, keynote speeches, investor pitches, or media appearances. His programs typically combine message development, performance coaching, and mindset work designed to eliminate fear and strengthen confidence.
Over the years, Bernard has coached executives, entrepreneurs, actors, and leaders from major global companies. For professionals seeking a powerful transformation in how they communicate and present themselves, Bernard Hiller remains one of the most impactful public speaking coaches available.
2. Marianna Swallow – mariannaswallow.com
Marianna Swallow is a Chicago-based executive communication coach who specializes in helping professionals improve their presentation skills and public speaking confidence. Over the course of her career, she has helped more than 25,000 professionals become more comfortable speaking in meetings, presentations, and large events.
Her coaching focuses on practical communication challenges many professionals face—such as speaking confidently in meetings, organizing ideas clearly, and managing presentation anxiety. Marianna’s background in improvisation and storytelling allows her to help clients communicate in a way that feels natural, engaging, and authentic.
Marianna works with executives, business leaders, MBA graduates, and professionals across industries who want to communicate more effectively in high-pressure environments. Through workshops, one-on-one coaching, and corporate training programs, she helps clients develop frameworks that make speaking easier and more effective.
For professionals seeking structured tools to improve everyday communication and presentation skills, Marianna Swallow offers a highly practical, supportive coaching approach.
3. Leora Dowling – leoradowling.com
Leora Dowling is a public speaking coach who helps individuals and teams develop confidence and credibility when speaking in front of an audience. Her coaching focuses on helping clients “shine from the front of the room” while strengthening their leadership communication skills.
Leora’s approach emphasizes courage, connection, and creativity in communication. She works with clients to develop stronger verbal and nonverbal communication skills while helping them refine their professional presence.
Many professionals seek out Leora’s coaching to prepare for presentations, leadership roles, and public speaking opportunities. She offers both individual coaching and team training programs designed to strengthen communication across organizations.
Her approach is especially valuable for professionals who want to develop a more confident speaking style while maintaining authenticity and connection with their audience.
4. Lori Klinka – loriklinka.com
Lori Klinka is an award-winning speaker, trainer, and communication coach who specializes in helping professionals deliver clear, persuasive presentations. She has worked with business professionals across industries, from small business owners to Fortune 100 executives.
Her coaching focuses on practical communication skills, including presentation structure, storytelling, and audience engagement. Lori helps clients develop stronger messages, overcome speaking anxiety, and deliver presentations that connect with their audience.
Over the years, she has helped more than 8,000 professionals improve their communication skills, offering both individual coaching and corporate training.
Lori is particularly known for helping subject matter experts—such as technical professionals, scientists, and executives—translate complex ideas into clear and engaging presentations. Her work helps professionals communicate their expertise more effectively in meetings, conferences, and executive presentations.
5. Janicek Performance Group – janicekperformancegroup.com
Janicek Performance Group is a Chicago-based leadership and communication training firm that specializes in executive presence, media training, and public speaking coaching. The organization works with leaders and teams who want to communicate with greater authority and influence.
Founded by three-time Emmy Award–winning media professional Kathryn Janicek, the firm draws on extensive experience from television, journalism, and corporate communications. This background allows the coaching team to help leaders perform confidently in high-pressure speaking situations such as media interviews, investor presentations, and public appearances.
Their public speaking programs focus on message development, body language, audience engagement, and storytelling. Clients range from entrepreneurs and rising leaders to C-suite executives preparing for major presentations.
For professionals who want a combination of leadership coaching, media training, and presentation skills development, Janicek Performance Group offers a comprehensive approach to communication mastery.
Finding the Right Public Speaking Coach in Chicago
The best public speaking coach for you will depend on your goals, experience level, and the type of transformation you’re seeking. Some coaches focus on presentation structure and business communication, while others help speakers develop deeper confidence, presence, and emotional connection with audiences.
If your goal is to become a truly dynamic communicator—someone who inspires, influences, and connects with audiences—working with a coach can be a powerful investment in your career.
From transformational coaching with Bernard Hiller to executive communication training with Chicago-based experts like Marianna Swallow, Leora Dowling, Lori Klinka, and Janicek Performance Group, these professionals represent some of the best public speaking coaches in Chicago today.
No matter where you are in your speaking journey, the right coach can help you unlock your voice, strengthen your message, and communicate with confidence in any room.
Your mouth feels dry, your heart races, and your hands may tremble slightly. This is stage fright, and it can affect both new speakers and seasoned professionals.
The good news is that these uncomfortable sensations don’t mean you are failing; they usually indicate that you care about your performance. The objective isn’t to eliminate your nerves but to manage stage fright before a presentation. This way, you can channel your energy positively, letting it work for you rather than against you.
Below is a straightforward, practical blueprint you can use before any pitch, talk, or performance, helping you step on stage feeling prepared, grounded, and truly present.
Your Pre-Presentation Blueprint: From Anxious to Assured
Stage confidence doesn’t happen in the last 30 seconds backstage. It’s built in the hours and days before you speak. Use these 10 steps as your personal pre-presentation checklist to manage stage fright and turn worry into focus.
Tip 1: Reframe Your Nervous Energy as Anticipation
Physically, fear and positive anticipation feel very similar: a fast heartbeat, quick breathing, and an alert mind. Instead of “I’m terrified,” try:
- “My body is gearing up to help me.”
- “This energy means I’m ready.”
That tiny language shift changes how your brain reads your sensations.
Tip 2: Know Your Audience, See Your Allies
Stage fright grows when you imagine a room full of critics. Do a little homework instead:
- Who are they?
- What problems or goals do they care about?
When you see the audience as people you’re there to help, you stop performing atthem and start speaking withthem.
Tip 3: Master Your Material, Then Make It Conversational
Nothing calms nerves like real preparation. Know your key points so well that you could explain them in a hallway conversation.
Avoid memorizing every word. When you cling to a script, one forgotten line can trigger panic. Aim for a clear structure and flexible, natural language instead.
Tip 4: Rehearse on Your Feet, Out Loud
Reading slides in your head isn’t rehearsal. Stand up, speak out loud, and move as you plan to on stage.
This helps you:
- Hear your pacing
- Feel where gestures fit
- Build “muscle memory” for the real moment
Your body learns the talk, not just your mind.
Tip 5: Craft and Memorize a Powerful Opening
Stage fright is usually highest at the start. Write one strong opening line or short story and practice it until it feels easy to say.
Once you nail your first 20-30 seconds, your breathing settles, your voice steadies, and the rest of the presentation feels far more manageable.
Tip 6: Use Strategic Breathing to Reset Your Body
A simple pattern like inhale for 3, hold for 4, exhale for 5 is enough to calm your nervous system.
Do a few rounds:
- Breathe in through your nose for 3
- Hold for 4
- Breathe out slowly for 5
Use this before you go on and during any pause when you feel tension rising.
Tip 7: Visualize Success, Not Collapse
Instead of replaying worst-case scenarios, run a different mental movie:
- You walk on stage steady and grounded
- Your ideas come out clearly.
- People are listening, nodding, and taking notes.
Visual rehearsal primes your brain to recognize this scene as familiar and safe.
Tip 8: Warm Up Your Body and Voice
A tight body makes stage fright feel worse. Spend 2-3 minutes:
- Rolling your shoulders and neck
- Shaking out arms and hands
- Humming or saying a few tongue twisters
You’re reminding your body, “We’re safe. We’re ready to speak.”
Tip 9: Create a Short Pre-Speech Ritual
For the last five minutes before you present, follow the samesimple routine every time. For example:
- Two rounds of your breathing exercise
- One grounding phrase: “I’m here to serve, not to impress.”
- A strong, relaxed posture
Over time, this ritual becomes a signal to your brain: now we focus, now we speak.
Tip 10: Shift Focus from Yourself to the Value You Bring
Stage fright often sounds like: “How do I look? What if I mess up?” Swap that for:
- “What do they need from me right now?”
- “How can this information help them today?”
When your attention moves from self-judgment to service, you naturally manage stage fright before a presentation and connect more deeply with your listeners.
Conclusion: Your Journey to Fearless Communication
Stage fright isn’t a personal flaw; it’s a habit of the body and mind that can be retrained. With preparation, simple physical tools, and a clearer focus on your message, you can walk into high-stakes rooms with more calm, clarity, and genuine presence.
For over three decades, Bernard Hiller, a Public Speaking Coach in Los Angeles and Acting Coach, has used these kinds of principles, along with deeper performance and mindset work, to help Oscar-winning artists, global executives, and leaders communicate with power and authenticity. If you’re ready to go beyond quick tips and build a lasting shift in how you speak, share, and lead, explore his public speaking coaching programs to learn how personalized guidance can help you own every room you enter.
Ready to transform your nervous energy into an undeniable stage presence? Learn more about personalized public speaking coaching here.
FAQs
1. What is stage fright before a presentation?
Stage fright before a presentation is a surge of anxiety characterized by a racing heart, dry mouth, and tense muscles. The fear of judgment triggers this reaction, but it’s also your body’s way of preparing you to perform.
2. Is stage fright before a presentation normal?
Yes, experiencing stage fright before a presentation is normal. Most people, including professionals, feel some level of anxiety about public speaking. The key is learning how to manage these nerves and redirect that energy into more effective communication.
3. How can I quickly manage stage fright before a presentation?
To quickly manage stage fright before a presentation, try slowing your breathing, relaxing your body, repeating a calming phrase, and focusing on helping your audience rather than worrying about their judgment or striving for perfection.
4. How does preparation help reduce stage fright before public speaking?
Preparation helps reduce stage fright by providing a mental roadmap. When you know your key points, opening lines, and transitions, your confidence increases, and your anxiety decreases over time.
5. Can public speaking coaching help me overcome stage fright long-term?
Yes, public speaking coaching can help you overcome stage fright in the long term. By combining technique, mindset, and practice, a coach like Bernard Hiller can help you build confidence and develop strong, lasting presentation habits.