Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellie Nieves.
Hi Ellie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a hardworking Puerto Rican family in the Bronx, where service, faith, and determination were core values. My parents modeled resilience: my father worked as a security guard at Rockefeller Center and my mother was a community activist who served her community with heart. They planted in me a deep belief in education, integrity, and using your gifts to lift others.
I was the first in my family to graduate from college and later earned my law degree from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law ant Pace University and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. My career began in government and law, and over the years I worked my way up in corporate America, navigating environments where I was often the youngest person in the room, the only woman, or the only Latina. Those experiences pushed me to develop my voice, build confidence, and strengthen my leadership.
Professionally, I now serve as Head of Strategic Public Policy & Assistant General Counsel at a Fortune 300 company, where I lead forward-looking initiatives on AI, emerging technologies, and regulatory strategy.
But alongside my corporate career, another calling was taking shape.
As I was climbing up the ranks in my career, women—began coming to me for career advice. I saw how many high-achieving women struggled with visibility, confidence, and navigating environments that weren’t designed with them in mind. That inspired me to launch Leadership Strategies for Women, LLC, where I teach women how to show up, speak up, and step up in their careers through courses, masterclasses, and coaching.
In my own journey of integrating faith and ambition, I also founded the Christian Career Women Network, a growing sisterhood helping Christian women thrive professionally without compromising their values.
My story is really a story of alignment: learning to honor my identity as a woman of faith, an attorney, a strategist, and a leader—and using what I’ve learned to help women rise with confidence and purpose. Today I speak, write, and advocate so that women don’t just succeed on paper, but flourish in every part of their lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road — and I’m grateful for that, because the challenges shaped my leadership, my faith, and my purpose.
In the early years of my career, I often found myself as the youngest person in the room, the only woman, or the only Latina. I struggled to make my voice heard and to be taken seriously. I had to learn how to develop executive presence, articulate my ideas with confidence, and navigate highly political environments where relationships mattered just as much as results.
There were moments of self-doubt, times when I questioned whether I belonged, and seasons when I worked incredibly hard without receiving recognition. I also faced the internal challenges that many high-achieving women face: balancing ambition with humility, learning to advocate for myself, and unlearning the belief that hard work alone is enough.
On a personal level, I walked through a major health battle when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fourteen months of chemotherapy and radiation changed me—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Coming out on the other side gave me a renewed sense of purpose and reminded me of the importance of grace, rest, boundaries, and gratitude.
As my career expanded, juggling a corporate leadership role, my speaking business, my coaching clients, relocating from NY to Florida, and family life created seasons of overwhelm. I’ve learned that success requires systems, intentionality, community support, and knowing when to ask for help.
And as a Christian woman in leadership, I also had to navigate integrating my faith at work—learning how to show up authentically without compromising professionalism or influence.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But every challenge refined me. Every setback taught me something essential. And every “hard season” turned into content, tools, and strategies that now help the women I coach and speak to. My struggles have become part of my ministry and my mission.
As you know, we’re big fans of Leadership Strategies for Women, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Thank you for asking — I love sharing about the work I do because it’s truly where my purpose and passion meet.
Today, I lead two organizations that serve women in complementary ways:
1. Leadership Strategies for Women™ / Women’s Leadership Institute (www.EllieNieves.com)
This is my secular leadership development company, where I help high-achieving women show up, speak up, and step up in their careers.
I specialize in:
• Executive Presence for Women
• Confidence & Visibility
• Career Strategy & Advancement
• Voice, Influence, & Leadership Communication
• AI readiness & strategic skills for the future of work
Through the Women’s Leadership Institute, I offer:
• Live courses and masterclasses
• On-demand leadership training
• Corporate workshops & keynotes
• Coaching for women leaders
• Leadership development tools and resources
What sets us apart is the blend of strategy, research, and real-world corporate leadership experience.
Most leadership programs teach theory. I teach what actually works in boardrooms, executive meetings, political environments, and high-stakes decision-making spaces—because I live it every day in my role as Head of Strategic Public Policy & Assistant General Counsel.
Women come to me because they don’t just want motivation — they want RESULTS.
They want to advance, influence, be seen, and lead with confidence.
I give them the roadmap, the tools, and the coaching to do exactly that.
2. Christian Career Women Network (ChristianCareerWomen.com)
This is my faith-based community, created to help Christian working women advance their careers without compromising their values.
We focus on:
• Faith + Career integration
• Identity, purpose, and calling
• Overcoming self-doubt, fear, and comparison
• Scripture-based leadership and personal growth
• Monthly coaching, Bible studies, and career development sessions
It’s a global sisterhood built on support, prayer, professional development, and community — a rare and special combination.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I am proud that my brand helps women rise—not by working harder, but by leading with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
I’m proud that women feel encouraged, grounded, and empowered after experiencing my courses or hearing me speak.
I’m proud that we are shaping leaders who are confident, strategic, ethical, and spiritually grounded.
What I Want Readers to Know
My mission is to equip women — especially women who have worked twice as hard for half the recognition — with the skills, strategies, and mindset to thrive at every level.
Whether through the Women’s Leadership Institute or the Christian Career Women Network, everything I offer is designed to help women:
• Build confidence
• Own their voice
• Lead with excellence
• Navigate complex workplaces
• Step boldly into their God-given purpose
And I do it with heart, expertise, integrity, and deep respect for the women I serve.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is this: your confidence, your clarity, and your calling grow in direct proportion to your willingness to trust God, trust yourself, and take courageous action even when the path isn’t clear.
For many years, I believed that hard work alone would open doors. But I learned that success requires more than effort — it requires visibility, voice, strategy, and intentionality. It requires knowing when to step forward, when to speak up, and when to stop waiting for permission.
I also learned that challenges aren’t roadblocks; they’re classrooms.
Every setback refined me.
Every delay taught me patience.
Every disappointment redirected me toward something better.
And every closed door reminded me that God’s timing is always perfect.
A deeply personal lesson came during my breast cancer journey. It taught me that life is precious, that rest and boundaries matter, and that you can rebuild stronger than before—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It shifted my priorities and deepened my commitment to helping women flourish in their careers and in their lives.
But perhaps the biggest lesson is this:
You don’t rise by shrinking yourself or doubting yourself.
You rise by aligning your purpose, your gifts, and your faith — and then showing up with boldness, preparation, and consistency.
That single lesson has shaped my leadership, my speaking business, my coaching philosophy, and the way I guide women at every stage of their careers.
Pricing:
- Membership in the Christian Career Women Network: $20 a month
- Women’s Leadership Coaching: 1 session – $350 / 2 sessions – $900 / 5 sessions: $1,500
- Seminars and Webinars – Varies from $47 – $497
- Speaking engagements: Varies
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.EllieNieves.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/LeadershipStrategiesforWomen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadershipStrategiesForWomen
- LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/EllieNieves
- Other: https://www.ChristianCareerWomen.com
