Jess Goldberg

Jess Goldberg is a leadership communication expert, company trainer, C-suite coach, and keynote speaker. At Columbia University, she teaches two graduate courses: “The Compelling Communicator” and “Presence and Persuasion for Tech Leaders.”

As an executive coach and speaker, Goldberg helps leaders at companies like Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Netflix, and Notion communicate with influence, navigate complex team dynamics, build powerhouse teams, and make a lasting impact in the age of AI. She also facilitates manager training programs, runs offsites, designs tailor-made workshops, and gives keynote speeches that merge traditional leadership principles with cutting-edge trends. 

Before teaching, Goldberg was a VP at an AI robotics company, leading a team that built the voice and personality of Moxie, a robot used to teach social and emotional skills to children. She has managed teams in a variety of industries, including a global media network, a Fortune 100 company, and an early-stage tech company, where she navigated the same terrain many leaders face every day. Her work has been featured in Forbes and TIME. She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship and named one of the nation’s Top Keynote Speakers by Real Leaders for 2026.

Goldberg’s journey into mastering communication began in journalism. As a producer for ABC News, she wrote stories about people and events in more than 110 countries, earning two Emmy Awards for her work. She covered many of the world’s biggest stories (including the Syrian Civil War, the Ukraine crisis, and the election of Donald Trump), where she learned skills including high-stakes negotiation, sharp judgment, disarming difficult personalities, clear communication, and compelling storytelling. Through her immersion in global conflicts, she discovered that the solution to most challenges hinges on clear, compassionate communication. These experiences as a journalist have become the cornerstone of her leadership style and teaching methodologies today.

Courses:

• PS5070: The Compelling Communicator
• TMGT PS5122: Presence and Persuasion for Technology Leaders