Our team had the privilege to have an interview with Michelle Courtney Berry. Here’s the details on our conversation.
It’s a privilege to speak with you today. Would you share details about you and your background?
It’s a pleasure to speak with you as well. I am Michelle Courtney Berry. My journey to where I am today has been one of continuous growth, learning, and dedication to helping others. I began my career as a graduate student at Cornell University, where I launched my first business in marketing and speaker training. This early entrepreneurial experience laid the foundation for my future endeavors in leadership development and wellness coaching.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats – from elected official and TV reporter covering The White House and Capitol Hill to internationally certified stress reduction expert and Reiki Master Teacher. My passion for helping people and bridging differences led me to found Courtney Consulting Enterprises, LLC, where I’ve delivered over 5,000 keynotes, workshops, and training experiences since 1990.
I’m sure your success wasn’t just handed to you on a silver platter. What hurdles have you had to overcome along the way?
My path to success has certainly had its share of challenges, traumas, and triumphs. I’ve had to navigate stereotypes and biases to prove my worth repeatedly. The survivor of numerous traumatic events (including but not limited to kidnapping, near-blindness, going deaf in one ear twice, catching on fire, rescuing a child from drowning, tending to terminally ill family members and clients, and dealing with constant fatigue of overachievement) as well as numerous toxic environments, I rose to be called an “in-demand speaker/humanitarian and Renaissance woman.” Naturally, I did this with the help of family, friends, and mentors. No one makes it alone. Balancing multiple roles – from politician to performer to business owner – often led to burnout, teaching me firsthand the importance of stress management and self-care. Additionally, transitioning from more traditional corporate roles to focusing on wellness and leadership development required me to take risks and trust in my vision, even when it wasn’t the conventional path.
Now let’s talk about the work you do. What area do you specialize in and why should people work with you over the competition?
My work focuses on addressing workplace toxicity, promoting leadership development, and fostering employee well-being through a holistic approach that combines academic research with practical solutions. Currently, I’m pursuing doctoral research in Executive Leadership, which informs my “Workplace Doc™” initiative aimed at diagnosing and remedying issues in toxic workplace environments. I offer a unique blend of academic rigor and practical experience: combining doctoral-level research in Executive Leadership with over two decades of hands-on experience in consulting and coaching. This rare combination allows me to offer evidence-based solutions that are also practical and implementable.
My unique and innovative”Workplace Doc™” initiative: is a proprietary approach that transcends surface-level fixes, diagnosing and remedying the root causes of toxic workplace environments. This comprehensive methodology sets me apart from competitors who may only address symptoms.
If someone wants to connect with you, where should they go?
The best way to contact me would be on my website at www.michellecourtneyberry.com
