I help leaders
find their voice.

We all know what Claude and ChatGPT sound like. I work with interesting people who want to sound like the best, most credible, least forgettable version of themselves.

Start a conversation See the work
About me
Kyle O'Connor

Kyle O’Connor  ·  Boston, Massachusetts

A career built on
high-stakes moments.

Kyle presenting to President Obama in the Oval Office
Kyle O'Connor

Kyle O’Connor  ·  Boston, Massachusetts

The White House  ·  2009 – 2014

One of the youngest presidential speechwriters in history

I started my career as an unpaid intern on the Obama campaign, going on to work with President Obama on everything from policy speeches and commencements to the address marking the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.

Nest  ·  2014 – 2016

From the Oval Office to Silicon Valley

At Nest, I helped launch groundbreaking products and wrote a TED Talk with CEO Tony Fadell — the father of the iPod — that has been viewed millions of times.

Tony Fadell on the TED stage
Kyle with Mark Zuckerberg preparing remarks

Facebook  ·  2016 – 2018

Crisis communications, up close

As Mark Zuckerberg’s speechwriter at Facebook, I traveled with him from cow pastures to Congressional hearings, learning the do's (and many, many don’ts) of navigating a crisis.

Recent Work

Still in the room
when it matters most.

Speaker at a major political address

Politics  ·  Major Addresses

When voters are listening

I write for leaders whose words capture the world's attention, from the campaign trail to the convention hall.

Leadership team at a major company milestone

Business  ·  Milestones

When the market is watching

I help executives shine in the moments that define a company, whether it's a launch, a crisis, or an IPO.

Executive at a major philanthropic event

Philanthropy  ·  Cultural Moments

When you need the right story

I make sure everyone I work with feels confident stepping on stage and speaking from the heart.

Talent on stage at a major entertainment event

Entertainment  ·  Industry Events

When it has to feel natural

I work with talent to sound personal, polished, and on message — but not too rehearsed.

Why Not AI?

AI can write.
It can’t speak from experience.

Large language models have read everything. They know what most people would say or do. And that’s the problem.

Every person and every situation is unique, which means your words should be, too. AI is a great tool, and I use it all the time. But it’s not good enough on its own — at least if you want to stand out.

Writing isn’t the hard part. It's knowing what to say. AI can make bad ideas sound good, but great communication comes from figuring out who you are, what you stand for, and what your audience needs to hear.

I haven't just learned about it. I've lived it. I’ve helped leaders navigate some of the most complicated, career-defining decisions they've ever faced, and it shapes every piece of advice I give.

There’s no substitue for a great partner. I earn the trust of people who aren't known for giving it out. And I help them tweak, refine, and sharpen their ideas until they feel right.

Services

What we can
work on together.

01
Speeches & Keynotes
Product launches, commencements, investor days, all-hands, acceptance speeches. I’ll help you find your argument, tell your story, and leave a lasting impression.
02
Op-Eds & Thought Leadership
The right idea can cut through the noise. I’ll help you figure out what you can uniquely say, and how to do it in the sharpest possible way.
03
Message Development
If you don’t know what you stand for, your audience won’t either. I’ll help you find the story that pulls everything together.
04
Coaching & Media Prep
Board presentations, media interviews, high-stakes appearances. I’ll give you an honest read on what’s working and what’s not, and help you get comfortable.
05
Crisis Communications
When there’s no margin for error, you can’t afford to take chances. I’ve worked with high-profile organizations facing their tougest tests.
06
Ongoing Partnership
Some of my best work comes from long-term relationships that allow me to learn your voice, understand your audience, and get to know your team.
Process

Lots of firms
delegate this kind of work.
I'm not one of them.

01
We'll talk.

Everything starts with a conversation. We’ll get to know each other, talk about your goals, and figure out how to tap into your strengths.

02
I'll dive deep.

I'll immerse myself in your work, survey what's out there, talk to the people I need to talk to, and get to the heart of the story. Then we'll go back and forth until it's right.

03
I'll stick with you.

I can work as fast as I need to. That's a skill you develop writing for a president. And I'll keep fine tuning with you until it's posted, published, sent, or delivered.

Let’s Talk

Ready to get
started?

Tell me what you’re working on, even if it’s early. We'll figure it out together.