Meet Ellie Nieves — a passionate speaker, leadership coach, and founder of Leadership Strategies for Women, LLC, and the Women’s Leadership Institute. As someone who started her career in the male-dominated world of New York politics, Ellie transformed her personal challenges into a mission to empower women in leadership. Her story is one of resilience, faith, and unwavering dedication to helping women break barriers and lead authentically. At Humans of Fuzia, where we proudly bring voices from across 35+ countries to our global community of over 5 million changemakers, Ellie’s journey is a powerful testament to the spirit of ‘She for She’ and ‘He for She’—encouraging women to rise, lead, and stay true to their values.
Tell us a little about what inspired you to start your journey as a leadership coach for women?
When I graduated from law school, I entered New York City politics, which at the time was heavily male-dominated. I often found myself being the youngest person in the room—and many times the only woman. Observing leadership styles around me, I realized there was a disconnect between how I wanted to lead and the examples I saw. Over time, I started to develop my leadership style, learning through experience and trial and error. As I grew in my career, women started approaching me for mentorship. That eventually led me to become a certified Christian life coach and later launch my coaching business, Leadership Strategies for Women, in 2009.
Who is your primary audience, and how has your work evolved over the years?
Over the years, I’ve primarily worked with corporations and organizations, helping women leaders advance through workshops, coaching, and seminars. But I noticed there were so many women with the desire to grow but without access to formal leadership programs. That’s when I launched the Women’s Leadership Institute—an online platform with on-demand leadership courses, group coaching, and live sessions, so more women can access the tools they need to thrive in their careers.
What kind of transformations have you seen in women who engage with your work?
It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness those “aha” moments—when women start believing in themselves and embracing their leadership potential. I listen closely to their challenges, meet them where they are, and help them grow strategically. My own experience working in corporate leadership keeps me connected to industry trends, which I integrate into my coaching. Beyond skill-building, I help women navigate organizational environments, develop strategic relationships, and build the confidence to lead authentically.
Many women struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Did you experience that as an entrepreneur?
Absolutely. When I first started offering coaching and speaking, I often doubted who would ever pay me to speak. But I fell in love with it and decided to invest in speaker training. I realized I had something valuable to share, and eventually, people not only resonated with my message—they were willing to pay for it. It took courage to attach a price tag to my work, but once I did, I gained the confidence to keep growing and building programs that genuinely help others.
Looking back, would you have done anything differently when starting your entrepreneurial journey?
No, I believe the failures and lessons along the way were essential. Entrepreneurship requires resilience because there’s a lot of experimentation and uncertainty. I remember launching my business in 2009 after being laid off during the economic downturn. Instead of seeing that as a setback, I saw it as a gift of time. I invested in myself, completed a year-long speaker training with Les Brown, and used that foundation to build the business I have today.
How has your definition of success evolved over time?
In the beginning, success for me was entirely career-focused—getting recognition and climbing the professional ladder. But after being diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago, my perspective shifted. Facing uncertainty about my health made me reflect deeply on my life. I realized success is about creating meaningful experiences, balancing ambition with family, health, and faith. I want to contribute to the world through my work, but I also want to cherish time with my loved ones and live a life that glorifies God.
What challenges have you faced in your industry, and how have you overcome them?
The coaching space has become crowded, which can make it tempting to compare yourself to others. Early on, I fell into that trap—looking at what other coaches were doing and wondering if I should follow their path. But I learned that true success comes from focusing on your unique message and strengths. Instead of getting distracted by others, I doubled down on my purpose and how I can best serve my clients.
Are there any exciting projects you’re working on right now?
Yes, I’m continuing to grow the Women’s Leadership Institute with more self-paced leadership programs combined with group coaching. I also recently launched ChristianCareerWomen.com—a community for Christian women navigating their careers while staying true to their faith. It offers workshops, live Q&A sessions, and soon, I’ll be releasing a book tailored for Christian career women to help them advance without compromising their values.
“Success isn’t just about titles or recognition—it’s about living fully, staying true to your values, and using every opportunity to grow, contribute, and uplift others.”
Connect with Ellie Nieves:
You can connect with Ellie on LinkedIn or explore her work at https://www.ellienieves.com/
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
