Dr. Michelle K. Johnston is an award-winning leadership expert and keynote speaker, nationally recognized executive coach, and bestselling author of “The Seismic Shift in Leadership”. Widely regarded as being at the forefront of the connection movement, Johnston has spent her career showing leaders how authentic relationships drive trust, engagement and bottom line results.

Named a Woman of the Year, a Top Ten Executive Coach, and one of the Top 500 Business Leaders, Michelle blends academic insight with real-world impact. As a Distinguished Professor of Business at Loyola University New Orleans, she teaches leadership and strategic communication through a connection-first lens. She holds a doctorate in communication from Louisiana State University and brings decades of insight to her coaching practice and keynotes for organizations around the world.

Michelle’s coaching clients include executives from Ochsner Health, JP Morgan Chase, MongoDB, and more. Her podcast, The Seismic Shift, ranks in the top 10% of all podcasts globally and features candid conversations with leaders who are transforming culture through connection.

Whether she’s speaking on stage, coaching in boardrooms, or teaching in classrooms, Michelle is a catalyst for change empowering leaders to unlock their full potential and lead with authenticity.

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