ABOUT US
Amplifying Executive Presence
At Pamela Prather Coaching, our specialty is translating the power of acting into your day-to-day business life.
After witnessing first-hand the transformational power of acting techniques for her C-Suite clients, our founder observed a growing need for this specialized training within the context of public speaking.
Whether you’re creating a dynamic powerpoint presentation, preparing for a public speaking event, polishing up personal presence or just wanting to improve your voice, Pamela and each of our associate coaches are dedicated to making a difference in your journey. With customized plans to fit your needs, our team is here to help you identify your goals, provide the tools needed to reach them, and support you every step of the way to the finish line.
Meet Pamela Prather
Hi there! I’m Pamela, and I am passionate about helping curious humans unlock their voices and sparkle. Throughout my 20+ year career, I’ve been an on-air talent, a tenured professor, an author, on faculty at NYU and Yale School of Drama, and a voice/dialect coach for Tony and Academy Award winning actors. Corporate clients include: Noom, Spotify, Facebook, PepsiCo, AT&T, H.I.G. Capital, The Carlyle Group, Piper Sandler, APAX Partners, and TA Associates and many others.
Today, you can find me fueling that same passion behind the scenes at Pamela Prather Coaching, where I’ve hand-picked a dream team of experts to help business executives amplify their presence utilizing an array of specialized training.
We are helping people in the corporate world gain confidence and overcome their fear of public speaking, implement strategies for clear and impactful storytelling, and learn repeatable exercises and specialized techniques that translate into success. We are revolutionizing the business coaching industry and challenging the standard by providing exceptional, personalized service.
For detailed information on the places I have worked, the workshops I have led, and other qualifications, check out my current cv.
Fun Fact: Pamela wrote The Voice Coach's Toolkit, enjoys a good ice bath and hiked to Everest Base Camp.
Meet the PPC Team
Our compassionate team of humans, coupled with our one-of-a-kind toolkit, is intentionally designed to help you reach peak performance.
The PPC team of coaches features handpicked experts from the world of theatre. Each of our exceptional Associate Coaches is a published Theatre professor and brings to the table extensive coaching experience in both actor and executive training.
Katherine Austinson
Project Manager
Katherine has years of experience in nonprofit management, conference coordinating, volunteer management, public speaking, and feature writing.
Fun Facts about Katherine:
I love to bake all kinds of cakes.
I'm a fan of TNG Star Trek.
I chill to the music of Chicago and Bread.
Micha Espinosa
Associate Coach
Micha Espinosa is a professor, coach, award-winning editor, and international teaching artist and performer. She works with leading actors and directors, coaching voice and text with a unique focus on identity. She works with private clients to empower them to find their authenticity and to communicate effectively. Whether working with attorneys on litigation techniques or with executive’s on-screen presence, Micha offers to her client’s liberation practices that lead to the lifelong skills of confidence and presence.
Fun Facts about Micha:
I survived the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand.
I was 18 when I graduated undergrad.
I can dance- salsa, merengue, and swing.
Michelle Lopez Rios
Associate Coach
Michelle Lopez-Rios is a voice coach, professor, and director. Her conviction that everyone has a story and everyone’s story is important has translated to everything from creating a Continuing Legal Education course on vocal presence to coaching physicians on sharing their research story with investors. She has coached over 60 productions around the country collaborating with Milwaukee Rep, Oregon Shakespeare, Seattle Rep, Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre. Michelle is based in Chicago with her husband and son.
Fun Facts about Michelle:
I am a seventh generation Tejana.
I was a nationally certified paralegal
I was a tour guide at Universal Studios Hollywood
Dr. Nina
Associate Coach
Nina Frusztajer, MD, MS is a physician, author, and life coach helping people optimize their nutrition, reach their goal weight without negative self-talk, and alleviate physiological stress so they can take their life to the next level. She is also a certified yoga instructor and mom of 3 teenagers.
Fun Facts about Nina:
I host an awesome fish taco dinner party
I attended the Grammy’s
I worked as a ski instructor
Rockford Sansom
Associate Coach
Rockford Sansom is a communications coach, author, and professor. As a coach, he has worked with Fortune 500 executives, UN delegates, members of the US Congress, speakers in TED Talks, and actors Off-Broadway and in regional theatre. Dr. Sansom has published the book The History of Voice Pedagogy and is the is the Editor-in-Chief of the Voice and Speech Review. He enjoys empowering his clients to find their authentic selves, supporting their presence, impact, and ability to build relationships.
Fun Facts about Rockford:
I've traveled to the base camp of Mount Everest in Tibet.
I come from a family of circus performers.
I love cooking New Orleans cuisine.
Sarah Nichols
Associate Coach & Editorial Assistant
Sarah Nichols is a second-generation Cuban American and an international voice, accent, and communication coach with an MFA in Voice Studies. She has taught in the US, UK, Canada, Italy, and Egypt. Sarah is an active member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA), having served for two years on the Junior Board and currently acting as Co-Chair of BizCore, an interest group focused on executive coaching and the business of the voice industry. Based in Washington, DC, Sarah teaches weekly public speaking classes online for Perks At Work to executives around the world and works with clients in various sectors on vocal production, accent modification, and public speaking skills.
Fun Facts about Sarah:
I spent roughly the first decade of my life in Egypt
I have a BFA in Musical Theatre and work regularly as a singer and voiceover actor
I am a big foodie and always look for the most interesting restaurants near me, wherever I am in the world
William Ryder
Associate Coach
Ryder is an actor, voice and speech coach, and communications and leadership consultant based in Chicago, Illinois. He works with artists, executives, and others to enhance presence, improve clarity and effectiveness of communication, and essentialize language and data stories. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Acting from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. He is a Certified Public Accountant and currently serves as VASTA’s Treasurer. He has taught Shakespeare and theatre crafts to incarcerated women at the Cook County Jail and young men at the Illinois Youth Center.
Fun Facts about Ryder:
I fell in awe of Susan Lucci as a young child – I eventually got to work with her
In my lifetime, I have had the pleasure of seven dogs in my care
I can twirl a fire baton.
Mendy Applegate
Bookkeeper
Mendy owns two companies that support small businesses and the community: a bookkeeping agency and Bloom Coworking in Yukon, OK. Corporate America has put Mendy in various roles that required her to have a vast knowledge of different industries, able to build relationships, and provide accurate and detailed information for staff and management. Mendy has been blessed with the knowledge, drive, vision, and heart to serve others, work with amazing people throughout the community and build a business that supports other small businesses.
Fun Facts about Mendy:
I’m a twin
Vintage furniture is my jam
Sarcasm Extraordinaire
Motto: It’s fine, I’m fine, everything is fine
Ready to amplify your voice and be heard?
We’re here to help achieve your goals.