About Me

I’ve spent my life listening deeply—across cultures, across disciplines, and across identities.

And through it all, one truth has stayed constant: stories are powerful. They heal, connect, and move us toward change.

I’m Dr. Kelsea Jackson, a storytelling and speaking coach with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of communication, identity, and social impact. I hold a Ph.D. in Intercultural Empathy as a tool for building understanding across differences, an M.A. in Intercultural Communication, and a B.S. in Speech Communication with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies. My academic journey has taken me across the globe—from the U.S. to the Middle East, the Pacific, and beyond—where I’ve worked alongside communities navigating complex challenges related to belonging and transformation.

Whether leading research on human rights in Palestine, supporting inclusive health initiatives at Stanford Medicine, or training professionals in effective communication, my work has always been guided by one thing: honoring the stories that shape us.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of coaching speakers from all walks of life, helping them step into their voices with clarity and confidence. Many of them are storytellers, artists, educators, and advocates—people with layered, often deeply personal truths who want to speak from a place of authenticity.

My coaching approach is both structured and spacious. I guide clients through identifying their audience, clarifying their message, and building a story that flows with impact. For those who want to go deeper, I offer advanced sessions that focus on mastering presence, refining delivery, and cultivating self-trust.

This work is transformative. And I’m honored to walk alongside anyone who is ready to share their truth with courage and conviction.

Empathy is my foundation. Storytelling is how I help others speak their truth.

Coaching & Speaking Highlights

Coaching LGBTQ+ and Intersectional Speakers

Provided one-on-one coaching for LGBTQ+ storytellers speaking at equity galas, health justice panels, and community organizing events. These sessions often centered on reclaiming narrative, navigating vulnerability, and sharing joy in the face of marginalization.
Supporting Equity in Health & Medicine

Trained and coached medical students, health educators, and professionals to integrate personal narrative into public speaking—especially around identity, inclusion, and equity in health care spaces. Led coaching for speakers in medical university’s health equity events and initiatives.
Facilitating Global Leadership Trainings

Designed and delivered intercultural storytelling workshops for young professionals from over 49 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, as part of a U.S. Department of State-funded leadership exchange. Coached participants on story structure, public speaking, and message clarity.
Hosting Cross-Cultural Story Circles

Led narrative-based reflection and storytelling exercises for groups of students and professionals exploring identity, belonging, and self-leadership. These circles were grounded in principles of empathy, cultural humility, and voice as resistance.
Speaking at International Conferences

Delivered presentations and lectures at academic and global convenings on human rights, storytelling, queer identity, and peacebuilding—bringing both academic insight and lived experience to the stage.

Professional & Global Experience

My work has always lived at the intersection of storytelling, identity, and cross-cultural connection. Over the past decade, I’ve facilitated transformative conversations, led international trainings, and coached speakers across diverse communities and global contexts.

Bridging Cultures in Finland

Facilitated intercultural dialogues between refugees and native Finns, fostering empathy and mutual understanding through shared storytelling.
Leading Global Expeditions

Guided a multi-week international leadership and identity journey across New Zealand, blending adventure with reflective storytelling and group facilitation.
Speaking on Global Stages

Presented at international conferences and events in the U.S., South Korea, Finland, and New Zealand on topics including intercultural empathy, human rights, and queer joy.
Amplifying Voices in Conflict Zones

Led research and gave talks on Palestinian-Israeli narratives and peacebuilding, centering stories often overlooked in dominant discourse.
Coaching Across Borders

Supported speakers from global health, education, LGBTQ+, and advocacy communities to find their voice, clarify their message, and speak with confidence—on stage and beyond.

Education

M.A. in Intercultural Communication

Jyväskylä University, Finland
This degree taught me how people from different backgrounds communicate meaning, emotion, and identity. It laid the groundwork for helping storytellers navigate complex messages and share their truth with clarity, respect, and resonance—no matter who’s in the audience.
B.S. in Speech Communication, minor in Peace and Justice Studies

Utah Valley University, study abroad in Russia, Jordan, Palestine, & Israel
This is where it all started. I studied how voice, presence, and persuasion work together to move people. Combined with my foundation in peace and justice studies, this early training helps me coach clients to speak powerfully and ethically—turning personal experiences into stories that inspire change.
Ph.D. in Intercultural Empathy

Massey University, New Zealand
My doctoral work focused on how empathy can be used as a tool for peacebuilding across cultures and identities. This shapes how I coach: I listen deeply, hold space intentionally, and guide clients to tell stories that reflect not just who they are, but how they want to connect with others.