Named a Woman of the Year, a Top Ten Executive Coach, and a Top 500 Business Leader, DR. MICHELLE K. JOHNSTON is redefining what leadership looks like in today’s world. Her bestselling book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership: How to Thrive in a New Era of Connection, featured by Forbes four times, spotlights real-world leaders who have embraced this shift and are seeing stronger teams and better results because of it. An award-winning leadership expert and the Clifton A. Morvant Distinguished Professor of Business at Loyola University New Orleans, Michelle teaches leadership and strategic communication with a connection-first lens. She holds a PhD in Communication from Louisiana State University and brings decades of insight to her coaching and keynotes. She also hosts The Seismic Shift podcast, ranked in the Top 10% of all podcasts globally, where she continues the conversation with executives and thought leaders committed to building cultures of connection.

Dr. Michelle K. Johnston, recognized as a Woman of the Year, a Top Ten Executive Coach, and a Top 500 Business Thinker, is a passionate advocate for connection-driven leadership. As an executive coach, global speaker, and podcast host, she also serves as a distinguished professor at Loyola University New Orleans, where she challenges outdated leadership methods. Instead, Michelle champions a connection-based approach that attracts and retains top talent while driving bottom-line results.

Leaders on Michelle’s transformative journey acquire practical strategies for significant change, building stronger connections with teams, and advancing personal and professional goals. Her impact is unmistakable, demonstrated through her executive coaching with leaders at esteemed institutions such as Ochsner Health, MongoDB, Copado, Audubon Communities, MaxHome, Imperial Trading Company, The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate, The Young Presidents Organization, and JP Morgan Chase, among others.

Michelle acts as a catalyst for change, skillfully forging authentic connections that empower leaders to unlock their full potential and guide their organizations to unprecedented heights.

The impact of Michelle’s coaching is vividly illustrated through testimonials from clients:

Unlocking Leadership Excellence

“Engaging Michelle as my executive coach marked a transformative turning point in my career and life. It began as a personal quest to elevate my executive presence, evolving into an exploratory journey centered on forging meaningful connections, enhancing self-awareness, and boosting self-confidence. Michelle’s coaching gifted me with the tools to overcome perfectionism, shape my leadership presence for maximum impact, and redefine how I engage with my team and others. She’s a true partner, guiding me toward the leader I aspire to be.” – Eden Ezell, SVP & Chief Compliance Officer, Ochsner Health

Navigating Leadership Challenges

“Michelle has coached and supported me as a brand new CEO and helped me transition into my current regional CEO role. She has helped me lead our hospital and region through some of the most challenging events of my career including the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida. Michelle has helped me grow as a communicator and how to more effectively connect with the people I work with. Michelle has provided amazing advice to me throughout my leadership journey that has helped my team grow by creating a better connection and a more psychologically safe environment.” – Fernis LeBlanc, Chief Executive Officer, Ochsner Bayou Region