Brilliant writing for brilliant leaders
THE MOST IMPORtANT MOMENTS of a career
My clients entrust me with some of the most important moments in their careers, and lives—when they step to the podium to introduce themselves in a new role to a new audience, when they respond to a crisis or try to stave one off, when their performance on a panel determines how they are seen by their peers, and when they risk their legacy on an article or op-ed or video that will be forever searchable.
I take that responsibility very seriously.
If you decide to become my client, you will learn that I consider elegant writing important, but not sufficient. My work is also impeccably researched and fact-checked, always. I deliver a highly polished product, on time, carefully calibrated to the audience and occasion.
As much as successful leadership communications depend on empathy and emotion, they also depend on precision. I will take your ideas and organize them so that a powerful logic and momentum will lead your audience to conclusions that feel inevitable.
I am highly attuned to the specific ways that individual leaders like to present themselves. The writing I do for you will reflect my sense of your voice and style, and grow more accurate as we work together.
When multiple drafts are required, you will find that I can help you zero in on what it is that you want to say.
I consider discretion an occupational requirement.
Services
Speeches
Video scripts
Statements
Op-eds
Briefings for panel discussions
Government testimony
Bylined articles
About Me
Over the past 25 years, I have written for some of the most distinctive and delightful leaders in higher education, academic medicine, business, and government—great communicators, all.
Before launching Owens Leadership Communications in 2016, I was Executive Writer for President Shirley Ann Jackson of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where I helped to identify, define, and shape opportunities for speeches and panels, and conducted research and briefed the president for major external events such as the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.
As a consultant, I worked for ten years for David D’Alessandro, the CEO who steered John Hancock onto The New York Times’ list of the 100 best brands of the 20th century. Our projects included numerous speeches and op-eds, congressional testimony, and three best-selling business books: Brand Warfare, Career Warfare, and Executive Warfare.
I began my career writing for Governor Mario Cuomo of the State of New York, widely considered one of the most inspiring speakers of the 20th century. I was Chief Speechwriter for Governor Bill Weld of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and wrote for his U.S. Senate campaign.
My work has appeared in many publications, including Foreign Affairs, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Vital Speeches of the Day.
I write about gardening under my own name. The New York Times called my 2011 book Grow the Good Life “the best” of a “bumper crop of books about vegetable growing,” “breezy, cantankerous, and funny.” I am a co-founder of the pioneering group blog Garden Rant, which has won several “best writing” awards.
I hold a B.A. with honors in English from Yale College and an M.F.A. in writing from Columbia University.
Select clients
The Ohio State University, Office of the President
Wellesley College, Office of the President
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Office of the President
The State University of New York, Office of the Chancellor
Harvard University, Office of the President
MIT, Office of the President
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Office of the President
EY, Americas Assurance
Contact ME
michele@owensleadershipcomms.com
518-791-1322