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Jen Vellenga

Director - Educator - Coach

jen@jenvellenga.com

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About Jen Vellenga

Director - Educator - Coach

At the core of my coaching is The Presence Paradigm™, a proprietary framework based on actor training techniques. This model helps leaders communicate with confidence, focus on their audience, and inspire action through the power of storytelling.
I have over 20 years of experience as a professor and leader in higher education and my diverse professional path has shaped my approach. From actor to stage director, professor, director of theatre, and associate director of a school of music, theater, and dance, I apply these experiences to inform my work as a writer, script consultant, podcast producer, and executive coach.
As a lifelong learner and tech enthusiast, I have honed my skills in LMS, CMS, AI, and audio/video editing, enhancing my ability to develop modern, engaging productions.My diverse professional path has shaped my approach: from actor and children’s theater educator to director of a school of music, theater, and virtual speaking & executive presence coach.

Skills and Services

I provide leadership coaching through a communication lens and communication coaching through a leadership lens, depending on the client need.

I help individuals communicate confidently in their positions of leadership. I believe in speaking with presence, without being perfect, to influence meaningful change in the world.

Training outcomes include:
● Speaking with confidence and presence – in person and online
● Engaging authentically with clients and colleagues
● Articulating clearly while maintaining cultural authenticity
● Presenting professionally in the virtual environment
● Performing in leadership roles consistently, with presence and ease
● Crafting stories for impact and influence

About Director | Educator I Coach JENNIFER VELLENGA

Jen V. served is a professor, stage director, and leader in higher education. Over the last 25 years, she has empowered Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning actors and writers to embrace their authentic selves and speak confidently.
She provides leadership training that applies the acting techniques seen on stage and screen to workplace scenarios. Helping individuals and teams tell stories and communicate confidently. Her clients learn how to speak up when needed, with words that are direct, and they know when it’s time to listen.

Now I bring my whole self to leadership. You uncovered what I already had in me but was afraid to share.
Billi Dray Director of Development, Young Life Global
Jen has been magical in helping me to identify my voice and my VOICE! The ways that she has holistically addressed my strengths and my areas of improvement have all made me feel so much more confident.
Cate Readling Politician
I felt seen and understood while Jen guided me in pairing my authenticity and vision with proven storytelling techniques. She was singularly focused on how our work together would make practical and measurable improvements in my career.
Bliss Griffin Diversity and Inclusion Strategist
Jen recognized my strengths and provided me with pragmatic recommendations to bolster my self-confidence and refine my skills. Her insights have proven invaluable in my efforts to transmit messages with clarity and purpose.
Dr. Helena Maria Geirinhas Ramos Vice President, Administrative Management/Senior Researcher
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Learn more about Jen Vellenga

My clients are often in roles that are Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial officers, Executive Directors, Vice Presidents, but even though they have reached great heights in their careers, they do not feel like they are “enough.” They are not fulfilled and they have not taken the chance to look back at all they have achieved. Somehow they know that what got them here will not get them there – to the next level of influence and respect.

As a lifelong learner and tech enthusiast, I have honed my skills in LMS, CMS, AI, and audio/video editing, enhancing my ability to develop modern, engaging productions and curricula.

You don’t have to be an executive to develop presence!
Focus on authenticity and storytelling in your performance and speaking endeavors to influence change in your career.