Zero-regret
communication
You’ve worked hard to get where you are. But when the moment comes to lead a meeting, present to senior leadership, question a decision out loud or share a bold idea, you never feel quite your confident self.
And you replay those conversations and meetings in your mind afterward, thinking of things you wish you’d said.
At Pronounced, I blend speech science and narrative coaching to help you find your literal voice, refine your delivery, and rewrite the internal stories that have kept you quiet or unheard…in systems that weren’t designed for you.
The result?
Zero-Regret Communication:
🛑 No more wishing you’d said something else.
🛑 No more wishing you’d said something more concisely.
🛑 No more wishing you’d said something—anything!
START showing up fully in the moments that matter most and STOP replaying all the WHAT-IFS.
Featured Services
Leadership Communication Coaching:
A deep-dive coaching experience designed to help you speak with clarity, confidence, and presence. Find out what is keeping you from sharing your ideas, being acknowledged for your expertise, or chosen for that promotion.
Through a blend of speech science, voice training, and narrative coaching, you’ll uncover and remove the barriers keeping you from being fully heard.
This coaching covers:
Speech Foundations & Voice Awareness – Breath support, vocal projection, and calm, confident delivery
Clarity & Structure – Craft clear, engaging messages for presentations, meetings, and high-stakes conversations
Story Gathering & Storytelling – Find and share stories that connect with your audience
Real-Time Support – Coaching before key speaking opportunities and ongoing feedback to accelerate growth
Nine month program: $8100
The Focused 4-pack:
A concentrated, four-session program designed to prepare you for your upcoming presentation, interview, pitch, panel, speech or webinar. Together, we identify unhelpful speech patterns, strengthen breath support and vocal delivery, and practice using pauses and pacing for maximum impact.
You’ll also:
Learn to speak with natural confidence and presence
Build vocal clarity and projection for high-stakes conversations
Gather and shape stories that make your message memorable
Practice combining your skills for persuasive, powerful delivery
Four 1-hour sessions: $1400
I’m Mary Houle, M.Sc.
NARRATIVE & COMMUNICATION COACH | OTTAWA, CANADA
For three decades, I’ve been helping people find their voice, literally and figuratively. With a background in speech science and a love for the art of storytelling, I guide leaders to speak with clarity, ease, and conviction.
On the surface, my work is about the words you say. Beneath that, it’s about who you are when you say them. Because powerful communication isn’t just about polished delivery, it’s about identity, confidence, and connection.
Over the years, I’ve worked with leaders from CSIS, Shopify, Health Canada, the Canadian Parliament, and beyond, helping them craft messages that resonate and inspire. My coaching blends science with humanity, empathy with strategy, and just the right dash of humour.
I believe your voice is your most powerful instrument.
And I can’t wait to help you use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Narrative coaching is about uncovering the stories you tell yourself about your voice, your worth, and your place in the room, and then rewriting them so they stop holding you back and start serving you. I combine this with executive speech coaching so you build both skill and confidence: stronger delivery on the outside, calmer clarity on the inside.
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Most of my clients are women leaders, newcomers to Canada, Queer or neurodivergent professionals, and other change-makers who’ve stepped into leadership roles in systems not built for them. They’re ready to find their authentic voice, improve (so-called) executive presence and speak with confidence in high-stakes situations.
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My 9-Month Executive Coaching Program is a deep dive — perfect for leaders who want long-term transformation in their communication and presence. My Focused Coaching Package is a shorter, targeted option to prepare for a specific event, presentation, or career milestone. Both combine narrative coaching with speech and voice training to help you show up fully as yourself.
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Yes! While I’m based in Ottawa, Canada, I work virtually with leaders across the country and beyond. Whether you’re in Toronto, Vancouver, or halfway across the world, you can access the same level of personalized executive speech coaching and narrative support.
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We’ll start with a free consultation call to explore your goals and challenges. If it feels like a fit, you’ll review and sign an agreement, make your first payment, and schedule your first coaching session. From day one, you’ll get actionable tools and compassionate support to help you speak with confidence and impact.
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While my background is in speech pathology, I now work exclusively as an Executive Speech and Narrative Coach. That means my services are typically not covered by extended health insurance. However, many of my clients use professional development or leadership training budgets to cover the cost of coaching. If that's your situation, I’m happy to provide a supervisor-friendly proposal to support your request — clear, concise, and full of the right language to help your manager or HR team say yes.
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I specialize in coaching adults, particularly women leaders, emerging executives, and professionals who want to speak with confidence at work. If you’re looking for a speech coach for children or teens, you can go to the SAC list here.
Still have questions?
Let’s talk it through. Book a free consultation and find out how executive speech coaching and narrative coaching can help you show up fully as yourself.
How I Can Help
Pronounced Blog
Get started with Mary, today.
Stuart Hickox, ONE.org
“I felt that you knew what I was really afraid of. And I felt less afraid of it.”