Nichola Gutgold, PhD

Nichola Gutgold, PhD is a professional communications coach, professor, author and public speaker. With nearly 30 years of experience, she works with individuals and teams on organizational and interpersonal communication, public speaking, negotiation and conflict resolution. 

Nichola's specialization is in support of women, particularly in non-traditional fields. With enthusiastic coaching she has mentored women “to speak up and speak well”, by effectively organizing  content, enhancing delivery skills and overcoming stage fright.

Much of her written work and public speaking is inspired by her admiration for those who have overcome obstacles to being successful leaders. Using her broad research on the culture and how language is important to the success of women leaders, she authored “Madam President: Five Women Who Paved the Way” in 2015.

Dr. Gutgold’s research has received broad media coverage from the NY Times, US News and World Report, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, NPR, The Guardian, USA Today, PBS, Katie Couric’s Wake-Up Call, Politico, and The Washington Post.  She is a recognized thought leader and speaker, most recently as an invited speaker at the Theodore Roosevelt Research Center (April, 2023) and as keynote on Information Disorder in Times of Crises (September, 2022).  She is the author of 9 published books in total and has over 40 published articles in the field of communications.

Nichola’s professional career has included her role as Associate Dean of Academics of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University.  She is currently Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences at the Lehigh Valley campus.   

Dr. Gutgold holds BAs in English and in Mass Communications from Kings College, an MA in Speech Communications from Bloomsburg University and a PhD in Speech Communication from Penn State University.  She lives in Allentown, PA with her family.