Elia Nichols

“Elia is a phenomenal advisor and coach. I have done so much public speaking in my career, but I have never worked with a public speaking expert in preparation for a big speech. I was blown away by her insights, practical skills and recommendations. She also does a phenomenal job breaking down all the feedback to significantly improve the outcome. I did meet her a few times in person, but I think she does a great job coaching and teaching on zoom as well. Any exec would be very lucky to have her expertise."

Mandy Ginsberg

CEO of Match.com

“Last week, I attended Elia's 2-days Workshop on Public Speaking Skills here at the European University Institute -- without any doubt, a top notch learning experience! Elia was extremely well prepared, fun to work with, and she spent considerable time on one-to-one feedback throughout the workshop. She draw from her public speaking professional experience, acting career, and personal experience to deliver a high-level, high impact training. I personally feel that I learnt a lot, and would definitely want to work with Elia again! I strongly recommend her classes."

Massimiliano Santini

Policy Leader Fellow at European University Institute

“I had the absolute pleasure of being in Elia’s class at The European school of Economics (Florence). Before joining Elia’s class I had the misconception that I did not need a class on Public speaking. I opted for her class by chance and I couldn’t have been more elated with this choice. Elia is a master of the art of personal (self) improvement and she makes everyone record the process every step of the way through videos and photos. By the end of the term, I had recorded evidence of the immense changes my confidence, speech and posture had gone through for the better."

Vandana Pathak

Public Relations Professional, P4C.in

“Elia is an outstanding communication coach. She has not only supported me on various challenges but she has been able to understand my business background, to capture the key elements of the challenge and to steer my performance in the right direction. Everyone who works with the media, who needs to pass a job interview or is eager to improve communication skills will not have a marginal improvement working with Elia but a radical one. "

Guido Clary

Head of Western Balkans and Turkey at the European Investment Bank

“Elia is absolutely phenomenal- what I appreciate most about Elia is not only her effective, distinctive, and empathetic coaching style but her impressive acting and technical theater background that equips her with so many more tools in her toolbox and insights than the typical speech coach to support her clients. She helped transform my public speaking in my articulation, pitch range and tempo- I literally would of never been aware of my deficits as a speaker and have a route to improvement if it wasn't for her incredible coaching. I LOVE working with Elia!"

Dr. Renee St Jacques

TEDx Speaker, Psychologist & Certified Executive Coach (PCC) for Microsoft

“Elia is a masterful and compelling speech coach. She gets down into the trenches with you to bring out the best of your talents. Her dedication to helping you take your coaching to the next level is beyond anything I have ever experience. I am beyond thankful for her unwavering support to get my speaking skills to the level needed to be a professional and captivating speaker."

Terry Sidford

Keynote Speaker – Coach – Author www.terrysidford.com

“Elia è una persona di elevato profilo professionale, culturale e umano. Ha grandi capacità comunicative, e riesce a trasmettere energia positiva durante le sue interazioni con il cliente o nell’ambito di un gruppo di lavoro, nell’ambito del quale evidenzia innate doti di leadership e mediazione. E’ sicuramente una persona affidabile e puntuale."

Pierpaolo Chelo

International Trade and Marketing project manager PromoFirenze (Intl. Agency of the Florence Chamber of Commerce)

“I had the pleasure to take part in a two-day workshop on public speaking delivered by Elia at the European University Institute in Florence. I can firmly assert that this was a life-changing experience that trained me to control my anxiety so as to give the best of me when speaking in front of an audience. I have tried to apply all the tips and tricks that Elia gave me and I have even passed them on to colleagues that were feeling stressed or nervous before giving a public talk. It worked every time!"

Claudia Badulescu

Researcher, European University Institute

“I was in Elia’s Body Language and Communication Techniques class. Elia was such a wonderful teacher. I learned so much from the interview workshops she led us in as well as the public speaking lessons. A few weeks after finishing Elia’s class, I applied for two internships and I was offered both of the positions I applied for! In addition, my parents said they saw a major change in my articulation, projection, and the overall way in which I carry myself. I know that I owe most of the improvements that I made to Elia because her class is the reason that I have become more collected and mature."

Katherine Conlin

Director, Integrated Marketing, Paramount

“Elia conducted several group public speaking courses within Menarini and the feedback across the teams was superb. She not only knew her audience well, but also delivered an impeccable connection with each of us, coaching and providing individual feedback that without a doubt was engaging and useful for all. Her technical abilities coupled with her enthusiasm and contagious positive energy geared all participants to progress with motivation while learning, and for some stepping out of their comfort zones and reaching higher professional communication levels. Bravo, Elia! I look forward to the next one!"

Maria Sala

Global Corporate Director BD&L Discovery and Development at Menarini Pharmaceuticals

“It was a great pleasure to be in this wonderful workshop with Elia. I want to say a huge thanks to her. I think I can speak for all of us that she has given us a life changing experience."

Zheng Wang

Economist, European University Institute

“I am so thankful to Elia for all that she taught me. I still have much work to do, but what I know because of this class has changed my life forever. Instead of being a lazy-sounding hunchback, I am now a confident and aware person! I can never thank Elia enough for the gift she has given me"

Rebecca Niner

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, ANCHORED HOPE THERAPY

“I had the chance to take part in a public speaking training led by Elia. She has all the necessary know-how, practical experience, personal energy and individualized attention to help beginners and advanced speakers alike. And it was lots of fun!"

Tomas Jungwirth

Policy Leader Fellow at European University Institute

“Elia Nichols was instrumental in preparing me for a high-profile criminal case where I represented the family of a murder victim. Her targeted public speaking exercises enhanced my ability to captivate the jury and sway them emotionally. With her guidance, I transformed my speaking skills and secured a 30-year conviction for the accused. I wholeheartedly endorse Elia for any endeavor requiring exceptional public speaking, especially in high-stakes situations."

Michele Capecchi

Attorney, Managing Partner at Studio Legale Capecchi, International Legal Practice

“Elia is a gifted teacher and coach who gives attention, guidance, advice and feedback in preparing students to go out in the world and present their best selves to the world. She does this with an infectious energy that inspires. Thank you, Elia!"

Vanessa Nichol-Peters

Director of Marist University, Italy; Elected Member of the Forum Council for The Forum on Education Abroad

“I was very lucky to have Elia by my side as a speaking coach for TEDxFiesole 2022. Her expertise, positive energy and passion enabled me both to create and deliver a persuasive speech in a way I could not have dreamed of. Thank you for your tireless efforts and valuable support, from the very beginning until the (literally!) very last minute, dear Elia! You are an inspiration to those who are fortunate to work with you and I hope our paths cross again soon!"

Rebecca Bregant

IT Consultant | Sustainability Entrepreneur | CMO | TEDx Speaker

“Elia è l’immagine della spontaneità e la sua capacità di trasferire i principi dell’efficacia comunicazionale, anche nel difficile percorso del ‘remoto’, fa leva su questo naturale talento. A ciò si aggiunge una grandissima carica emotiva ed una costante energia che sostengono i suoi interventi formativi senza soluzione di continuità. Desidero lasciare per ultimo, perché è ovvio, un commento sulla preparazione tecnica e professionale: anni di esperienza nel cinema e nel teatro si fondono con una incessante ricerca di innovazione e di studio continuo. Ho partecipato ad una sessione di alcuni giorni sulla comunicazione efficace da distanza e mi ritrovo cambiato e rafforzato perché ho acquisito maggior consapevolezza dei miei errori e delle mie capacità di superarli."

Marcello Frigerio

Director of Syneos Health Italy and Germany

“Elia paid considerable attention to each participant and his/her problems. Also, she provided participants with instruments they can implement prior to a public speech they will deliver, making it practical."

Anonymous

Attended a corporate public speaking workshop

“I found the course very engaging. Elia was very dynamic in her explanations and also with the types of activities she had us do. There was never a dull moment. Elia was very hands on, which I felt made for a much more deep learning experience. Though she had us practice speaking, which was for me something I was not super comfortable with (hence why I joined the workshop), Elia managed to create an environment that was so positive and non-judgmental that it was actual fine for me to speak/perform publicly."

Anonymous

Public Speaking Workshop Attendee