Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ellie Nieves. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ellie, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
For much of my early career, confidence felt like something other people possessed effortlessly. I was the youngest person at the table, one of the few women—and often, one of the only Latinas. I believed that if I worked hard enough, my results would speak for themselves. But what I learned over time is that competence isn’t the same as confidence, and humility doesn’t mean hiding.
One defining moment taught me that lesson. I was leading a high-visibility project that had been inspired by a casual conversation with a friend. The initiative involved partnering my company with a major university and a well-known cable TV network for a joint event that would shine a spotlight on all three organizations. I poured my heart into every detail—building relationships, shaping the program, and ensuring everything came together seamlessly. The event was my idea, and I was the driving force behind bringing it to life. But when it came time to choose an emcee, I hesitated. Even though I had been the architect of the project, I couldn’t bring myself to step into the spotlight.
Part of me wanted to be the “good Christian girl,” guided by humility rather than ambition. Yet, I also had recent feedback from my boss encouraging me to be more visible and to showcase my leadership in our high-performance culture. I wrestled with that tension: How could I honor my faith’s call to humility while also living up to my professional responsibility to lead boldly?
In the end, when a call went out for an emcee, one of my more assertive colleagues volunteered. She knew the project had been my brainchild, yet she didn’t hesitate to put herself forward. I stayed silent. The event was a success, but my lack of confidence kept me invisible.
That moment was a turning point. It taught me that humility and visibility aren’t opposites—they can coexist. Confidence isn’t about self-promotion; it’s about stewardship of your gifts. When you hide what God has given you, you deny others the opportunity to be inspired by your leadership. From then on, I committed to showing up fully—not for recognition, but to honor the calling on my life.
Today, when I speak to women about confidence, I remind them that it’s not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about knowing who you are, whose you are, and why you’re there. Confidence grows when you align your purpose with your faith—and choose to step into the light, not for ego, but for impact.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I wear a few hats, but they all connect to one core passion: helping women rise. I’m the President & CEO of Leadership Strategies for Women, LLC, a leadership development firm I founded to help high-achieving women show up, speak up, and step up in their careers. Since 2010, I’ve partnered with companies and associations to deliver seminars and workshops designed to transform emerging women leaders into influential managers and executives.
Leadership Strategies for Women also powers the Christian Career Women Network, a faith-based community that helps women of faith excel in their careers without compromising their values. Through this platform, I combine my two greatest passions—faith and leadership—by offering Bible studies, courses, and coaching experiences that support women in integrating their faith and purpose into their professional lives. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness women gain clarity, confidence, and conviction as they step boldly into the roles God has called them to.
By day, I also serve as Head of Strategic Public Policy and Assistant General Counsel, Government Affairs, at a Fortune 300 company. In that role, I lead proactive public policy strategies on emerging issues that shape business strategy, including artificial intelligence and innovation. My work at the intersection of law, policy, and technology allows me to influence change in ways that not only shape the industry but also prepare the next generation of leaders to navigate complex issues with integrity and vision.
What excites me most about all of my work—whether in the corporate world or through my leadership platforms—is the opportunity to empower others. I believe that when women lead with confidence and conviction, they create ripples of impact that extend far beyond their own success.
Right now, I’m especially excited about the continued growth of the Christian Career Women Network, which is expanding to include new courses, live webinars, and leadership programs—all designed to help women lead with excellence, purpose, and faith.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Resilience has been the through line of my career—and my life. As a breast cancer survivor, I’ve learned firsthand what it means to persevere through adversity with faith and determination. That experience reshaped how I view challenges. I no longer see obstacles as setbacks, but as sacred invitations to grow stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. My advice to those early in their journey is this: when adversity hits, pause and ask, “What is this moment teaching me?” Every trial has the potential to refine you and reveal the leader within you—if you’re willing to let it.
Self-awareness has also been essential. Early in my career, I thought success meant conforming to whatever leadership style seemed to be rewarded around me. Over time, I learned that authenticity is far more powerful. Understanding who you are—your strengths, your values, and your purpose—gives you the clarity to lead from a place of confidence rather than comparison. My advice: make reflection a regular practice. Journal, pray, or seek feedback from mentors who will tell you the truth in love. Self-awareness is the foundation of authentic leadership.
Finally, strategic communication has been one of the most valuable skills I’ve developed. Whether I’m presenting to a boardroom, speaking at a conference, or mentoring women, communication is the bridge that connects vision to influence. Early in my career, I underestimated how critical it was to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. Now I tell women: your voice is your power—develop it intentionally. Practice speaking up in small settings, seek opportunities to present, and learn to tell stories that move people.
Together, these three qualities—resilience, self-awareness, and strategic communication—have shaped not only how I lead but how I live. They’ve taught me that leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about impact. And impact begins with the inner work of becoming who God created you to be.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is a high-achieving woman who’s ready to grow into the next level of her leadership—someone who knows she’s capable of more, but needs clarity, confidence, and strategy to get there. She’s ambitious, hardworking, and accomplished, but sometimes feels unseen or unheard in the spaces where she leads. She may be navigating self-doubt, struggling to find her voice, or balancing her career ambitions with her values and personal life.
For my corporate and professional clients, she’s often an emerging or mid-level leader who wants to strengthen her executive presence, sharpen her communication skills, and position herself for advancement. She’s ready to invest in herself, do the inner work, and take actionable steps toward becoming the kind of leader who inspires others.
For my faith-based community of Christian career women, my ideal client is a woman who loves God and her work—but sometimes wrestles with how to reconcile her faith with her professional drive. She wants to advance in her career without compromising her values, and she’s looking for guidance, community, and biblical truth to help her lead with both grace and grit.
At the core, my ideal client—no matter her background—is a woman who’s ready to rise. She’s not just chasing success; she’s pursuing significance. She’s willing to learn, stretch, and grow so she can show up fully in her calling and make a lasting impact wherever she leads.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ellienieves.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipstrategiesforwomen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadershipStrategiesForWomen
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadership-strategies-for-women-llc/
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/c/ChristianCareerWomen
Image Credits
Diane Fraticelli; FemForce; RTW Photography; @hellosarahkay
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
