Ellen Gallagher Chief Operating Officer, Wilkes University – Matching Your Message: Adapting Your Style for Maximum Influence

Ellen Gallagher Chief Operating Officer, Wilkes University – Matching Your Message: Adapting Your Style for Maximum Influence

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola July 25, 2023 Duration: 32:08

In this episode of the “Speaking to Influence”, Dr. Laura Sicola spends time with Ellen Gallagher, Chief Operations Officer at Wilkes University.

In this episode you will learn:

  • how a free text-book initiative is increasing student’s likelihood for success
  • that time spent earning a 4-year degree teaches you critical interpersonal and management skills
  • how everyone, regardless of their role, has the ability and responsibility to represent their organization on social media
  • that filling a presentation with technical terms and knowledge, is often more about a speaker lacking confidence than effectively communicating
  • to adjust you communication style to match what will most resonate with the intended audience
  • that confidence and humility are not mutually exclusive and that you should be confident in your abilities, but humble enough to be ready to learn from other’s fresh perspectives.

About Ellen Gallagher:

With over 30 years of experience as a financial leader in the nonprofit sector, Ellen serves as the COO of Wilkes University, an independent, non-denominational four-year university in Wilkes-Barre, PA. She oversees several of the university’s operations including finance, information technology, facilities and dining services, campus security and capital projects. She also helps in developing the financial, technological and facility planning initiatives for the university.

Throughout her career, she has held several positions at several arts and non -profit organizations including at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, The Public Theater and New York Shakespeare Festival, the Lincoln Center Redevelopment Corporation, the Tucker Music Foundation and the Pennsylvania Ballet.

Ellen is also an accomplished pianist.

You can connect with Ellen in the following ways:

 Wilkes University: https://www.wilkes.edu

 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellengallaghercoo/

 

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola

LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions

Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions

Twitter: @LauraSicola

Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions

Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/

Laura’s Online Course: https://virtualinfluence.today


Speaking to Influence features conversations about the tangible mechanics of leadership communication, moving beyond theory into practical application. Host Dr. Laura Sicola, an expert in linguistic influence, guides discussions that dissect how language, tone, and presence directly impact credibility and outcomes. Each episode brings a perspective from seasoned executives and industry figures who share their real-world experiences-not just their successes, but the nuanced moments where a single conversation changed a trajectory. The focus here is on the actionable: how to structure a message for a skeptical board, modulate your voice to convey authority without arrogance, and read a room to pivot your approach in real time. This isn't about generic public speaking tips; it's a deep exploration of the strategic choices behind influential speech. Listeners gain access to a toolkit for building confidence, commanding attention, and achieving specific professional results through more intentional communication. The podcast operates at the intersection of business strategy, personal development, and the often-overlooked technical art of persuasion, making it relevant for anyone whose role requires them to lead, sell, or inspire through spoken word. Dr. Sicola's background provides a unique lens, ensuring every conversation yields insights you can use immediately to refine your own impact.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Speaking to Influence
Podcast Episodes
Scott Miller of YESLY Water: Cultivating a ‘We’ Culture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:12
Scott Miller is the guest on this week’s episode of Speaking to Influence. The Co-Founder and CEO of YESLY Water speaks to Laura about how he handled pushback and set boundaries to move forward. In this episode you will…
Johann Wrede of Emburse: The Power of Experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:47
Joining Laura on this week’s episode of ‘Speaking to Influence’ is Johann Wrede, Chief Experience Officer at Emburse. Johann shares how he manages group dynamics among key stakeholders to keep them from hijacking meeting…
Dr. Laura Sicola: The Big Reveal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:39
Happy New Year! Dr. Laura Sicola is back with Part II: The Big Reveal. In this episode, she unveils her rebranding journey, discussing the issues and challenges her Vocal Impact brand had, and introduces the audience to…
Sneak Peek - What's Even Better than VIP? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:30
Dr. Laura Sicola: Sneak Peek- What’s Even Better than VIP? This week, join Dr. Laura Sicola for Part I of a two part series where she talks about defining and claiming your brand…or more specifically, HER brand! Join us…
Clate Mask of Keap: When It’s Time to Stop Trying to Persuade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
On this week’s episode of Speaking to Influence, join Clate Mask, CEO of Keap Small Business Automation, as he tells Laura about when he knew it was time to put his career on the line by giving an ultimatum to his compan…
Anu Muralidharan of Expensify: A Human ‘Swiss-Army Knife’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:44
This week on ‘Speaking to Influence,’ Dr. Laura is joined by COO of Expensify, Anu Muralidharan, where Anu shares how she was able to build momentum in her company by having everyone identify their own unique value, and…