Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Ziuz
Hi Kate, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Confidence alone isn’t enough to command a room. I learned that early in my career. I was always proactive, an A+ student, unafraid to take up space—but I realized that the people who truly made an impact had something more. They had presence. And that’s when I became obsessed with mastering it.
I first tested this theory when I was still a student, trying to break into the corporate world. I had sent my CV to one of the top investment companies, but like many ambitious students, I never heard back. Instead of waiting, I took action. When their CEO came to speak at my university, I approached him directly and asked if they needed interns. He casually told me to send my resume, and I pushed further—”I already did, but I never got a response.” That moment could have gone unnoticed, but what happened next was key: he turned to a current intern and asked if he knew me. That intern’s response? “Yes, Kate does a great job, she’s visible, and exactly what we need.” The next day, I started my internship.
That was when I understood the power of perception. Presence isn’t just about being qualified—it’s about being positioned as someone who belongs.
I carried this mindset into my next challenge—securing an internship in the Ukrainian Parliament. I wasn’t a politics expert, and when I walked into the interview, I faced a panel of 20+ serious officials firing questions at me about export and import statistics I didn’t know. In that moment, I realized that knowledge alone wouldn’t win them over—how I handled the moment would. Instead of shrinking, I stood my ground. I held my posture, maintained eye contact, kept my tone friendly yet assured, and even turned some exchanges into light jokes. I left the interview with an internship offer. Looking back, I wasn’t the most knowledgeable person in the room, but I was the one they trusted could handle the role.
Teaching: Lessons in Presence
I started tutoring in two HR schools—one for adults, one for students. This is where I realized that presence isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s an art of calibration. With adults, authority and expertise were key. With students, I had to balance authority with approachability, meeting them at their level while still leading the room. It was another lesson in how people respond to presence based on their expectations and environment.
But perhaps the most powerful lesson came from an unexpected place—dance.
I had been on stage since I was five years old, but it wasn’t until my late 20s that I started teaching high heels dance. There were no classes in my area, so I created the space myself. And very quickly, I realized that for most women, it wasn’t just about dance technique. They weren’t there to learn dance moves—they were there to step into their power. And as I watched them transform, I realized: movement is a direct pathway to presence. They just didn’t say it out loud at first.
When I pushed them to take the stage alone, to perform on camera, or to step outside their comfort zones, I watched them transform. These weren’t just dance breakthroughs—they were presence breakthroughs. They became more confident, more expressive, and more willing to take up space—not just in class, but in their daily and professional lives. That’s when I saw the undeniable connection between movement, body language, and the way we carry ourselves in every aspect of life.
The Corporate World: Presence in Action
Ten years later, after a decade in Big 4 and Tech, I had mastered not just watching how presence worked, but actively experimenting with it in high-stakes environments. One of the most striking moments happened during an audit—a room full of auditors and company representatives, high-stakes and high-pressure. The moment I walked in, the energy shifted. Conversations quieted, heads turned. And yet, I hadn’t even said a word.
All I did was walk with slow, deliberate steps, maintain upright posture, minimize gestures, and keep my voice steady and controlled. Instantly, I was perceived as an authority. They never questioned my statements—they simply made their notes and followed my lead. That’s when I knew—presence is the invisible force that dictates how people treat you before you even speak.
Why I Do This Work Today
Today, I use everything I’ve learned—across corporate, public speaking, performance, and education—to help high-achieving women refine their presence. My clients don’t lack confidence—they just want to ensure their presence matches their expertise. They want to walk into a room and own it. They want to step on stage, into meetings, or in front of a camera and know, without a doubt, that people are paying attention for all the right reasons. And that’s exactly what I teach them to do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Early in my corporate career, I learned that confidence alone wasn’t always enough—especially as a young woman in leadership.
In Ukraine, career growth happens fast. You graduate early, climb ranks quickly, and by the age of 28, you’ve been through more market shifts and high-pressure situations than many professionals in other countries experience by 50. So when I moved to the U.S., I wasn’t just bringing ambition—I was bringing years of high-level experience.
And yet, despite my expertise, I was underestimated.
I remember one moment in particular. I had been handling high-level responsibilities, leading projects, and delivering results. But when I pushed for a promotion, leadership dismissed me—not because of my skills, but because of my age. “You’re our little star,” they said. Meanwhile, a male colleague with a family and kids—someone perceived as more “serious” and “established”—was promoted over me.
This wasn’t just about gender—it was about presence. The way people see you often determines the opportunities you get. And I knew I had to shape that perception myself. It was a clear reminder that expertise doesn’t always speak for itself. You have to shape the way people perceive you.
Another time, a CFO spoke to me as if I were a child, explaining basic math concepts in a patronizing tone. I let it slide in the moment, but at our next meeting, I made sure to shift the dynamic. I walked in with total composure, confidently explained the formulas and numbers, and left no room for doubt. From that moment on, he treated me with respect.
Relocating & Redefining My Presence
When I moved to California, the challenge wasn’t about proving my intelligence—it was about rebuilding my presence in a new country where no one knew me.
I arrived in January 2020, right before the pandemic shut everything down. Suddenly, I was isolated. In Ukraine, I had always been surrounded by top-tier professionals—studying at the best university in the country, working at award-winning companies, learning from the best. In the U.S., I didn’t have that same high-achieving circle, and there were no events or networking opportunities to build one.
Presence isn’t just about how you show up in a room—it’s about how you show up in life. When I couldn’t find opportunities, I built them. And that’s exactly what I teach my clients to do.
So, I pivoted. I started a travel blog, mastering my photo presence and learning how to promote experiences visually. That led to paid collaborations, and to this day, hotels and Airbnbs still use my photos. But more importantly, I learned how presence translates online—a skill that now helps my clients refine their self-presentation for digital and media visibility.
At the same time, I launched my own dance classes, not just to teach movement, but to create a space for women to own their confidence. That’s when I truly saw the connection between physical presence and professional presence—how the way you move, stand, and hold yourself shapes the way people perceive you.
The Breaking Point: Choosing My Own Path
Through all of this, I was still in corporate, working across global teams, pushing for promotions, proving my worth again and again. My schedule was brutal—meetings at 6 AM, calls until 10 PM, constant pressure to perform. And it took a toll. I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic attacks.
That was the turning point. I realized: I wasn’t meant to keep proving myself in systems that weren’t built for me. I was meant to help women like me—high-achievers who already have confidence but need to refine their presence to match their expertise.
So I left corporate. I took control of my health, my career, and my mission. And now, I work with high-achieving women in LA and beyond, helping them master their presence—so they never have to fight for recognition the way I did.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Master Your Presence is not just a coaching business—it’s a transformation. I specialize in helping high-achieving women refine their presence so that their expertise, confidence, and authority are instantly recognized the moment they walk into a room.
My work isn’t about teaching confidence—it’s about refining presence so that people instantly recognize your value. My clients are already successful, confident, and ambitious—but they know that presence is a skill, not just a personality trait. They come to me because they want to ensure that how they carry themselves matches the level of success they’ve worked so hard to achieve. Whether they’re stepping onto a stage, leading high-stakes meetings, elevating their personal brand, or preparing for a major photoshoot, I help them fine-tune the details that make all the difference.
What sets Master Your Presence apart?
Most presence and confidence coaches focus on broad, surface-level tips. My approach is precise, strategic, and tailored to each client’s unique goals. I combine corporate leadership experience, performance psychology, and high-impact coaching techniques to create transformations that go beyond typical confidence training. It’s not just about standing tall or making eye contact—it’s about mastering body language, energy, and self-presentation in a way that commands respect and attention effortlessly.
Brand-wise, what am I most proud of?
I’m proud that my brand has become synonymous with refinement, polish, and high-level presence. I don’t just teach confidence—I help women own their space with undeniable authority. From public speakers to executives to entrepreneurs, my clients leave my coaching knowing they can walk into any room, onto any stage, or in front of any camera and be perceived exactly how they want to be.
What should readers know about my brand?
Presence is a skill that can be mastered, and when you refine it, doors open. Whether through one-on-one coaching, group workshops, or tailored sessions for high-stakes events, I help women elevate their presence in a way that aligns with their ambitions.
Because being successful is one thing—being recognized for it is another.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy? Seeing women step into their power—fully. Watching them go from already confident and accomplished to owning their presence in a way that transforms how they move through the world.
It’s one thing to know you’re capable; it’s another to have that capability recognized, respected, and rewarded. And that’s what truly fulfills me—helping women bridge that gap. I’ve seen it happen time and time again.
Like Meagan, who was already confident, already successful, but through our work, unlocked a level of presence and self-assurance that made her unstoppable. Now, she’s not just seen—she’s felt. Meagan was crowned as Mrs. International 2024, and that victory wasn’t just about the title—it was about her stepping into the highest version of herself and owning it on every level.
What drives me is that moment when my clients realize they don’t have to hope for recognition anymore. They don’t have to over-explain, over-prove, or wait for someone to take them seriously. Because they now command the space the moment they enter it.
That transformation—that undeniable shift—is what makes me happiest. Because when a woman masters her presence, she no longer waits for recognition—she commands it. And that shift changes everything. And once that happens, there’s no limit to what she can achieve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://masteryourpresence.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kate.ziuz
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateryna-ziuz/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourPresence
Image Credits
Kenzie Rich Photography
Mary Rashidova @mary_photo_usa
