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and podcast host, she also serves as a distinguished professor at Loyola University New Orleans, where she challenges outdated leadership methods.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.

Michelle’s Amazon bestselling book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership: How to Thrive in a New Era of Connection, challenges the old-school, command-and-control style of leadership, promoting a fresh, connection-based approach that delivers real results. Her expertise has earned her features in Forbes, inclusion in the exclusive 100 Coaches Group, and over 200,000 views of her podcast, The Seismic Shift.

With a Ph.D. in Communication from LSU, Michelle is a sought-after global speaker, inspiring audiences to make seismic changes to better connect with themselves, their teams, and their organizations.

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