Claire Strong, MA
Claire Strong, MA, is the founder and CEO of StrongHER Media, a confidence-speaking coaching company dedicated to empowering women and teenage girls. With a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Sheffield and over 20 years as a BBC news anchor and reporter, Claire brings a unique blend of media expertise and leadership communication skills to her coaching practice. Her career in journalism honed her ability to craft compelling messages, perform under pressure, and connect authentically with diverse audiences—skills she now shares with her clients.
Passionate about helping women thrive in male-dominated professional environments, Claire developed the StrongHER Media Three C’s framework: Confidence, Clarity, and Connection. Through this approach, she equips clients to command attention, articulate their message clearly, and build lasting professional relationships. She has coached executives, athletes, attorneys, and students for high-stakes speaking engagements, including multiple TEDx events, where she guides speakers through rigorous preparation to ensure they perform with poise and impact.
Beyond coaching, Claire is a vocal advocate for mentoring and collaboration among women, emphasizing empowerment, empathy, and resilience. She serves on the Board of the British American Business Council – San Diego chapter and supports initiatives that advance the rights and opportunities of women and girls globally, including helping Afghan women and girls in need. As a parent, entrepreneur, and media professional, Claire combines life experience, practical expertise, and a dedication to authentic leadership to help her clients find and use their voices with confidence.
• MA – Master’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism
• University of Sheffield – Master’s Degree, Broadcast Journalism
• Named Leader of Influence 2026 by San Diego Business Journal
• Coached multiple clients for a TEDx event, witnessing their onstage transformations
• Board Member, British American Business Council – San Diego Chapter
• Supporting Afghan Women and Girls
• Helped Afghan Women's Rights Activist Escape to Germany
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to both my formal education and practical work experiences. My master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Sheffield gave me a strong foundation, but some of the most formative growth came from being recruited into the BBC special talent program. Being coached by exceptional professionals and working alongside brilliant colleagues showed me what’s possible when you surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Life experiences such as being a single parent, moving countries, and restarting my career also taught me resilience, which has been invaluable in building StrongHER Media from scratch.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I was advised to always seek out rooms where the people around me are more experienced or more brilliant than I am. True growth happens when you are challenged and inspired by those who push you to be better.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you want to become a confident speaking coach and empower women and teenage girls, you must first be comfortable in your own voice. Practice what you preach. I recommend gaining substantial professional and life experience—roughly a decade—to ensure credibility. Build your network, develop connections, and let those experiences inform your coaching. This combination of expertise and relatability makes clients feel safe and confident working with you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include societal and social media pressures on young women, as well as the unequal domestic burdens that often fall on women. Opportunities include equipping women and teenage girls with communication skills to confidently step into university, the workplace, and leadership roles. There is also potential to increase collaboration among women entrepreneurs, creating visible support networks that amplify impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Empowerment, collaboration, resilience, empathy, and authenticity are central to everything I do. It’s vital that women practice what they preach and support each other, especially in professional and entrepreneurial spaces where challenges remain significant. Lifting one another up—through mentoring, sharing, or collaboration—is a principle I live by both personally and professionally.