Kathryn Lancioni: The Communication Coach Cultivating Confidence and Influence

Kathryn Lancioni is a leading communication expert whose multifaceted career has transformed the lives of countless individuals. As the founder and CEO of Presenting Perfection, LLC, Kathryn has established herself as a distinguished coach empowering children, teenagers and professionals to master the art of public speaking and interpersonal communication.   

However, her meteoric rise to the top did not happen overnight. Behind the success of Presenting Perfection lies Kathryn’s inspirational journey, one characterized by hard work, perseverance, and a lifelong dedication to the craft of communication.   

Fostering a Lifelong Passion for Communications

Kathryn ’s passion for communication blossomed at a young age. She recalls, “I’ve always been fascinated by the communications industry, specifically journalism. I vividly remember telling my girlfriends when I was in fifth grade that I wanted to be the editor of Vogue.”   

In middle and high school, Kathryn immersed herself in various publishing opportunities, serving as editor for her school magazine, newspaper and yearbook. She then pursued her passion further at Cornell University, attaining a degree in Communication with a focus on journalism. However, her studies did not end there. To refine her expertise, she attended Columbia University’s prestigious Graduate School of Journalism, a crucial move that gave her the tools and network to thrive as a journalist.   

Upon obtaining her Master’s, Kathryn dived straight into the industry, garnering over two decades of hands-on experience as a journalist, public relations practitioner and corporate communications director. Her resume boasts impressive names like The Cornell Daily Sun, WVBR Cornell Radio, Crain’s New York Business, and The Michelin Guide, as well as ADP,  Creditsafe, IBM, NCR, and PanAmSat, reflecting the diversity of companies she has worked with and the depth of knowledge she has amassed across disciplines.   

At PanAmSat, where she served as VP of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Kathryn directed communication and investor relations efforts for the $3 billion satellite company. As one of the most visible company spokespersons, she honed her prowess as an eloquent communicator to the media, key stakeholders, and the financial community during significant corporate changes, including an IPO, acquisition and privatization. According to Kathryn, this intense, high-stakes period was instrumental in forging her unflappable communication abilities, strategic acumen and grace under fire.   

The Inception of Presenting Perfection

Upon leaving PanAmSat, Kathryn parlayed her real-world expertise into the teaching arena. Since 2009, she has taught and instructed various communication-centric courses at several prestigious academic institutions, including Montclair State University, Rutgers University, Seton Hall University and William Paterson University. Students rave about her engaging delivery and knack for effortlessly bridging theoretical knowledge with professional practice. Her ability to inspire positive transformation through communication took on new meaning in 2013 after an enlightening exchange with her son’s fourth-grade teacher. When asked about the teacher’s approach in preparing students for an upcoming public speaking assignment, her response spoke volumes.   

“She explained the core curriculum, which is used in many public schools did not allow time for teachers to teach soft skills, such as public speaking. That’s when the idea of Presenting Perfection was born,” Kathryn recalls.   

Sensing an opportunity to fill a glaring gap in communication education, especially for younger audiences, Kathryn mobilized her resources and launched Presenting Perfection , LLC. Since its inception, her robust coaching practice has empowered thousands of teenagers and professionals to conquer their communication fears and excel as influential speakers and enlightened leaders.   

The Presenting Perfection Difference

Presenting Perfection distinguishes itself with custom coaching programs that address each client’s communication goals and challenges. Before commencing any engagement, Kathryn dedicates time to deeply understand her client’s motivations, aspirations and trepidations. This discovery then informs a personalized training regimen crafted to bolster their public speaking prowess, or interpersonal finesse.   

For anxious teens tackling academic presentations, or participating in a competitive public speaking competition, Kathryn’s supportive coaching style coaxes them out of their shell through constructive feedback and regular practice. Many emerge with a newfound sense of confidence, eager to articulately share ideas rather than shy away from their inner voice.   

Professionals seeking career advancement also benefit immensely from Kathryn’s real-world communication strategies. From acing high-stakes interviews to leading critical work meetings with conviction, participants learn frameworks to organize thoughts systematically, engage audiences emotionally, and exude credibility when navigating corporate contexts.    

True to her passion for multi-channel communication, Kathryn also shares her wealth of knowledge through a prolific body of scholarly work. She has authored several acclaimed textbooks on communication-related topics and is a widely sought-after speaker at global conferences discussing trends in personal branding, authentic leadership, public relations, and brand storytelling.    

Elucidating Communication Concepts Through Literature

Kathryn is the author of three books published by Kendall Hunt. Her first book, Communications Research , explores core principles and best practices related to communication research. Kathryn’s second book, Public Relations: The Changing Global Landscape , examines emerging trends across the global public relations industry based on surveys and commentary from PR professionals. Her most recent publication, The Practice of Public Relations , offers an insider’s perspective of the public relations landscape through the lens of a seasoned corporate communications executive. It explores the nuances of PR while spotlighting its interconnectedness with other key functions like community, investor and employee relations.   

Beyond detailing practical applications, Kathryn’s textbooks bridge theory with action by featuring real-world case studies, examples and industry commentaries. Such comprehensive coverage cements her standing as an authoritative voice capable of translating complex principles into accessible narratives for her academic audiences.   

Through her writing portfolio alone, Kathryn has made remarkable contributions to furthering discourse around modern communication strategies and public relations. Kathryn also actively contributes to the communications industry through her research studies, blogs, podcasts, and presentations. During the COVID–19 pandemic, she conducted a global research study on the effects of the contagion on the PR industry. The results from this study of over 250 professionals were presented at international conferences around the globe. She is also a fellow at The Institute for Digital Leadership, a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and a board member of Entrepreneurship at Cornell University.    

For those battling public speaking anxiety or seeking self-improvement in verbal messaging, Kathryn offers profound yet practical guidance for conquering public speaking fears. With compassion and encouragement, she asserts that managing anxiety is an ongoing journey accessible to all with patience and practice. As Kathryn poignantly notes, “The nerves never completely disappear, but over time, you learn how to manage them. “Kathryn urges allowing yourself ample personal time to progressively overcome trepidation. Building confidence happens gradually, so exercise self-compassion as your skills strengthen.    

She highlights the importance of developing an authentic communication style aligned with one’s personality instead of copying others. Experiment to find what feels most natural. She advises, “If you are giving a speech or delivering a presentation, practice it numerous times.” Furthermore, “watching yourself speak, although hard to do, can show you where you struggle.” Finally, think carefully about what to share because “you don’t have to tell everyone everything.”   

While anxiety may persist, Kathryn insists anyone can learn to articulate ideas compellingly and engage audiences with grace. As she explains, “No one knows what you are going to say, until you say it. If you forget, just move on. Your goal is to dance elegantly through the speech and captivate the audience while doing so.”   

While her illustrious resume and array of published works cement her status as an undisputed authority in modern communication strategy, Kathryn’s true legacy shines through in the countless students, clients, and book readers whose lives have forever changed for the better after embracing her wisdom. She stands poised to continue positively shaping the next generation of confident, self-assured communicators ready to make their unique mark.