About Melanie Hussell
I’m a Business Communication Coach based in the heart of Europe – Brussels, Belgium. Drawing upon my extensive experience and passion, I help professionals to present effectively, magnifying the impact they bring to their work.
My journey began two decades ago on the bustling streets of Brussels, as I struggled to communicate in French. It wasn’t my grammar or vocabulary, but my pronunciation that posed a barrier. And it hit me – what a privilege it is to be a native English speaker, especially in many corporate environments where English dominates.
Inspired by this revelation, I sought to assist non-native English speakers in finding their voice. Consequently, I immersed myself into the studies of language teaching, phonetics, presentation skills and PowerPoint design. With these, I created a course in public speaking integrating my corporate know-how and Business English pedagogy.
Each day, the idea of empowering professionals to reach their goals invigorates me. Through my dual digital tools: an online ‘Persuasive Presentations’ course and AI speech coaching app, I facilitate professionals to overcome their public speaking challenges, regardless of linguistic background, accent, or individual attributes.
Witnessing my clients’ transformation from anxiety-ridden talks to confident, effective communication is an absolute delight and fuels everything I do to improve the pace and progress of their journey.
Indeed, as many recognise, communication is the foundation of any successful leader. Yet, when presenting in a non-native language the stress is amplified. Consider these insightful narratives from my coaching sessions:
The CEO: Though an accomplished and charismatic leader, a board reshuffle demanding him to pitch in English sent him into a spiral of stress.
The Researcher: An expert in Virology, she hesitated to present her groundbreaking research in native English-speaking countries due to fear of miscommunication.
The Lobbyist: Passionate about planetary health, he needed to fine-tune his public speaking skills to promote his revolutionary ideas and advocate for his dedicated colleagues globally.
These are just three of stories that highlight the immense power and significance of effective communication. Every idea, every innovation, and every breakthrough hinges on the ability to communicate.
And that's where I step in.
My mission is to ensure that no voice goes unheard, and every trailblazing idea receives the spotlight and impact it rightfully deserves.
Join me and let's elevate your voice, and let the world hear confidently and clearly what you've got to say.
My Corporate Experience and Qualifications
16 years’ European leadership experience with Diageo (Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Guinness), Osram/Siemens (Lighting/Electronics) and Liberty, London (Retail)
Multiple courses in: Presentation skills, High Performance Coaching, Leadership (Hult Ashridge) Management by Co-operation, Change Management, Designing Appraisal Systems and Assessment Centres
Cambridge University English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)
Bachelor of Science in Applied Zoology, Reading University, UK
My Women Business Enterprise Certification
My Language Associations
IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) virtual global speaker
BESIG (Business English Special Interest Group) virtual and live conference speaker in the UK, Germany, Poland and Romania
BELTA (Belgian English Language Teachers Association) live conference speaker and panelist in Belgium
PRON SIG (Pronunciation Special Interest Group) member - Global research in Linguistics/Phonetics/Neuroscience/Teaching Methodologies