Lara Wallace

About Lara Wallace

I once walked into an important meeting feeling confident — and left feeling embarrassed.About ten years into my teaching career, I attended a department-wide welcome meeting for new students.When it was suddenly my turn to speak, my mind went blank.My stomach dropped. I shared my name and a friendly but vague welcome. As my colleagues introduced themselves, I realized I had missed my chance. Those students wouldn’t remember me or know how I could help them. I felt embarrassed — and angry with myself.That moment changed how I prepare, and it’s exactly what I see happen to capable professionals in job interviews.Many people freeze under pressure — not because they lack intelligence or experience, but because stress interrupts their thinking. When English isn’t your first language, that pressure is stronger. Vocab disappears. Grammar breaks down. This isn\'t a problem with natural talent.And it’s not a personal failure.Communication is a skill — and skills can be learned.I’m Dr. Lara Wallace, and I help climate solutions professionals prepare for conversations so they can stay calm, think clearly, and communicate their value when it matters most.Since 2006, I’ve worked with thousands of professionals, students, and organizations. Many of my clients are strong writers and thoughtful speakers, but struggle in interviews because they’re trying to create answers on the spot while managing nerves, grammar, and pronunciation.This work is not about sounding perfect or memorizing answers.I help you:🧠 stay grounded when your mind goes blank organize ideas so words come more easily prepare clear, relevant interview answers (especially “Tell me about yourself”) speak in a way that feels like you, not a performanceOne client said:“The key was preparation. The mock interview with Lara helped me in the real interview with no fear.”She got the job.My approach combines:• structured preparation for real interview situations• tools to reduce pressure and build calm focus• clear communication strategies (not random practice)• deep experience in sustainability and climate-focused workWays to work together• Coaching — personalized support for interviews and high-stakes conversations• Courses — including job interview preparation and confidence-focused communication• Community — structured practice and support inside The HUBWant to talk?Send me a DM. I’m happy to listen and help you decide what kind of support would be most useful.Let’s make sure your work gets the impact it deserves. l•••@english4sustainability.com

Experience

1. Founder of E4s, Communication Coach for Sustainability Enthusiasts and Professionals

   English For Sustainability, Llc

   Jan 2020 — Present · Columbus, OH, US

   When I started English for Sustainability, my goal was simple but urgent:to help the people solving our planet’s biggest challenges speak with confidence and clarity in English — so their ideas could travel as far as their impact.Every day, I coach sustainability professionals, engineers, and advocates who want to share their expertise on a global stage. Many of them arrive feeling frustrated — they know their field deeply but struggle to express it fluently in meetings, interviews, or presentations.Together, we turn that uncertainty into communication that connects.I’ve helped: A Head of PPA in Spain secure major renewable energy contracts after learning to speak with persuasive clarity. A consultant land a role at the Clean Air Task Force by mastering confident storytelling in interviews. A water stewardship expert make himself better understood by US clients, leading to cleaner water practices. An engineer give her first presentation abroad in Germany — answering tough questions with poise and purpose.Through courses, private coaching, and The HUB membership, I combine communication frameworks with personalized feedback to build lasting fluency, confidence, and authenticity.For those ready to take their learning deeper, I also integrate Positive Intelligence® coaching, a research-backed approach to improving focus, well-being, and performance.My work is built on one belief: When sustainability professionals communicate clearly, they create change that matters — for their careers, their communities, and our planet.If you want to elevate your voice and share your expertise with impact, I’d love to connect.

Education

• Positive Intelligence (PQ)

  Positive Intelligence Foundations Program for Mental Fitness

• Ohio University

  M.A., Linguistics with a focus on Anthropology and Latin American Studies

  1998 — 2000

• Ohio University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Spanish with minors in Music, Anthropology

  1994 — 1998

• Ohio University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis

  2008 — 2014