Ava Thompson Greenwell, PhD, ACC
Professor, School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, Northwestern University | Faculty Coach
Ava is a faculty and leadership coach with more than 25 years of experience in higher education. Drawing upon nearly a decade of experience as an on-air television news reporter, she brings a keen awareness of communication and presentation skills. She helps clients work through major transitions in their professional and personal lives by focusing on the little things that lead to big successes. Ava believes it’s important to minimize distractions to maximize YOUR agenda. She earned her coaching certification through Coach Training EDU.
Ava leads a faculty mentorship program at Northwestern University. She is particularly adept at addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing women and faculty of color. Ava is author of Ladies Leading: The Black Women Who Control Television News; and director of “Mandela in Chicago,” a documentary film about the city’s anti-apartheid movement. She is currently working on another film about the history and experiences of Black Women Faculty at Northwestern.
In addition to teaching, she has held several administrative posts including associate dean for curriculum, department chair, co-curator for the nationally recognized Ida B. Wells award and co-director of the South Africa Journalism Residency Program.
Ava holds both a Ph.D. in African American Studies and a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Northwestern University.
Ava believes most clients know the desires of their heart but need the headspace to acknowledge those desires, and specific steps to make them come true. An AI client said Ava helped her “expand my thinking and hold me accountable.” Another said Ava works with clients to “knock down walls that can hinder progression.”