Ilene Bergelson is an international presenter, educator and executive coach inspired by the principles of Applied Improvisation. Through her company, EmpowerSpeak™, she integrates best practices from AI with those from her long career in the performing arts and coaching. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of NYU and Founder’s Day Scholar, Ilene draws on her advanced studies in theatrical arts, expression, physicality, biomechanics and the healing arts to create innovative, multimodal trainings and coaching experiences that fuse self-exploration and discovery with practical learning. She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise, the CHEK Institute for Holistic Exercise Kinesiology and LeadTrue leadership coaching. As a performer on Broadway, in film and on television, Ilene has developed special communication and presence techniques, which she shares with her clients, so that they can actualize their full potential as impactful communicators. Her clients include Microsoft, the Royal Opera House of London, and local non-profits. She has written numerous articles, created the audio series, Light Bytes: The Communication Collection and contributed to professional development books on career, presence and mindfulness themes, as well as AIN’s AIM Magazine.  In all her work, Ilene’s emphasis on utilizing inner awareness, a strong sense of connection to the self and a partnership-oriented approach supports her organization’s intention to elevate the level of effective and conscious communication in the world.