Ready to speak up and share your research with the world? Let me show you how.
Hi! I’m TIFFANY GREEN
Learn More About My Journey
Hey! I’m Tiffany Green. With a decade of Toastmasters experience, 20 years in academia, and years of self-study, I know exactly what it takes to deliver an impactful presentation. My coaching is grounded in both the science and the art of storytelling.
“The virtual 3-Minute Thesis coaching session you hosted was an incredibly valuable experience. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the importance of structuring my presentation to captivate a general audience from the very first sentence. Having a few of us practice and the rest of us provide peer-to-peer feedback was also interactive and engaging. Thanks to your session, I implemented the advice and have advanced to the final round of our university's 3 Minute Thesis Competition!”
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— Tiffany Olivera, Graduate Student, Rutgers University–Newark
Years in Toastmasters
TEDx Events Coached and Selected Speaker
Trained Scientists in Public Speaking
Elevating your voice so your science can make the difference it deserves.
Years in
Academia
(including earning the highest honor, Distinguished Toastmaster)
featured in:
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Evaluation University is excellent training for anyone interested in Speaking, Writing Speeches, or Coaching Speakers.
Your training enables the evaluator to pinpoint what can improve a presentation. I remember when I was putting together a TED Talk, you reminded me that my story sets up the problem we must confront and if I had more than one idea, the transition had to be clear.
My presentation had several points that were not clear. Because of "Evaluation University" I now know to focus on two main things, "What is the one thing I want the audience to remember?”, and "Make sure that I have made the resolution or conclusion clear for the listener".
-Rita Moore, public speaker and talk show host
My Story
Where I Am Now:
Today, as a tenured professor at one of the top universities, I still get to do what I’ve always loved: ask questions, dig deeper, and share stories.
I’m an economist and population health scientist, deeply committed to addressing racial and ethnic inequities in reproductive health. But my journey to this point has been anything but straightforward.
How It All Started:
Growing up in Philly, I was the kid who would stay up late, reading books under the light filtering through the door.
I’ve always had a thirst for knowledge, and I’ve never stopped asking questions. Whether it was about the world, science, or the stories I was reading, curiosity was my constant companion. Public speaking was a big part of how I communicated this curiosity…though I’d later find out that I had a lot of work to do to be effective.
CORE VALUES
As an academic speaker coach, I am guided by a set of personal and professional values:
I am passionate about training the next generation of researchers—empowering them to think critically, communicate effectively, and become engaged, informed citizens. The next “greatest scientist” might be reading this right now. (Hopefully, that’s you!)
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Equity and Inclusion
Integrity
Teaching & Mentorship
Curiosity
Never stop asking questions. The best discoveries come from a desire to learn and challenge the status quo—plus, curiosity is way more fun than the ‘same old’
I firmly believe good science always deserves the spotlight. Further, I especially want scholars from historically excluded groups (e.g., women and non-binary folks) who face barriers to inclusion in the academy to have the opportunity to shine. I believe everyone has a story to tell and that those stories will change the world.
Evidence-based science is at the heart of what I do. I follow the data wherever it leads—even when it challenges my assumptions or makes me uncomfortable. Rigor and justice go hand in hand.
Training Leaders Through Storytelling: How My Journey Began
My academic journey kicked off with a BA in economics from Florida A&M University—an HBCU that truly transformed my perspective. It opened my eyes to the richness of Black culture and their contributions to the world. From there, I pursued a Ph.D. in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Heels!).
A trip down memory lane
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The Pivot: Learning to Speak Beyond Academia
While I thought I had a solid understanding of public speaking, graduate school was a wake-up call. Presenting at conferences was a huge challenge.
I had to learn how to present a background section and methods and results (that last part was really tough for me, especially when the results didn’t go the way I expected). And I wanted to do work that was policy-relevant but traditional ‘academese’ was not gonna fly.
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Postdoc Lessons: Mastering Research and Storytelling
My postdoctoral fellowships changed everything for me. Not only did I learn more about my own research, I received high-quality training on how to communicate across disciplines and to different audiences.
Whether it was weekly interdisciplinary roundtables or media training, all of these experiences helped me to master my craft. One experience stands out the most in my mind–a physician colleague told me: the laws and policies aren’t made through research, they happen through stories. That translational research mindset has stayed with me to this day.
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Finding My Voice: The Toastmasters Transformation
In 2010, I joined Toastmasters International, which was an even more transformative experience. I quickly learned about how to use speaking to lead and influence for good, as well as the nuts and bolts of public speaking.
I now could better organize my talks, use vocal variety and staging for greater impact, and use storytelling to amplify the impact of my science. I also began competing in contests on how to deliver my own prepared talks, do on-the-fly speaking (i.e., table topics), and evaluate other people’s speeches.
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Evaluating Success: Empowering Students to Shine
As an assistant professor, I used my burgeoning evaluation skills to help my students prepare for high-impact talks in academic settings and beyond. I also got to see a LOT of job talks on the search and was bummed to see the ways in which great people dropped the ball because they didn’t have the right skill set.
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Building My Leadership Coaching Practice: Lessons from TEDx
Then came TEDx. When the opportunity came up to participate in TEDxRVAWomen, I jumped at the chance to learn both on the speaker selection committee and to coach speakers. I quickly learned what worked when it came to picking speakers (authenticity, having an idea worth sharing) and what didn’t (salesmanship, lack of originality).
I also had the opportunity to coach three amazing women (see here, here, and here) and learned an important lesson that academia doesn’t teach you. Effective talks focus on one idea. Not two. Not three. One.
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How One Key Idea Shaped My Career and Led to Success
The ‘one idea’ lesson served me well when it came to my own career. I had to give a job talk that would decide whether I return to UW-Madison as a professor. I had one shot to convey one key idea: that in order to improve birth-related inequities, caring about Black women was fundamental. (S/O to my friends who helped me refine the idea.)
Everything in my talk was crafted around this one key idea–and I got the job. I would not have the career I have today without implementing the lessons and frameworks that I’ll share with you. And share them I will because I want you to win!
Reading for Fun
I love fantasy, historical romance, and steampunk novels. Books have always been a key part of my life.
DANCING
Exploring New Places
SPENDING TIME WITH MY FAMILY
Dancing
Afro-Latin dance is a huge passion of mine. There's something freeing and joyful about moving to the rhythm. And I LOVE line dancing!
EXPLORING NEW PLACES
READING FOR FUN
SPENDING TIME WITH MY FAMILY
Exploring New Places
Whether it’s a new restaurant in town or a faraway location, I’m always up for an adventure with my family and friends.
READING FOR FUN
DANCING
SPENDING TIME WITH MY FAMILY
Spending Time with My Family
My children keep me grounded and remind me to always stay curious. One of them, in particular, is always asking me questions. I wonder where that comes from? ;)
READING FOR FUN
DANCING
EXPLORING NEW PLACES
All the Facets of Me
While I’m passionate about my research and coaching,
I’m also a person with diverse interests and a love for life outside of academia. When I’m not deep into datasets or reading research, you can find me:
Different Sides of Life
As much as I love my work, I’m also a mother, a wife, and a lover of culture and exploration. Balancing family, academic life, and personal passions is what makes life fulfilling for me.
I believe these different aspects of life feed into each other, enriching my professional work with a sense of purpose and connection to the world.
Book a Call
Why I Do This Work
xo, Tiffany Green
Good science needs to be heard, and the world needs you to speak up.
I’m all about curiosity—never settling for the easy answer, always digging deeper. And when it comes to health disparities, there’s a lot to dig into. Black women face pregnancy-related complications and death at higher rates, regardless of their income or education. Black infants have higher rates of preterm birth and infant mortality. These aren’t just numbers to me; they’re a call to action.
I’m passionate about using data to make a difference, but not just any data. It’s the kind of evidence that speaks to the heart of systemic inequities and shows us the path toward change. I’m in this for the long haul because I believe science should always challenge the status quo, especially when it comes to injustice. This isn’t just academic—it’s personal. It’s about lifting up the voices of those who have been overlooked and using research to create real, lasting change.
And it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about empowering the next generation of researchers to think critically, communicate effectively, and, of course, speak up. That’s why I do this work: to make sure everyone gets a chance to thrive and make their voices heard.
