Couchbase’s Regine Nelson brings authentic leadership to employee engagement

As a senior specialist of internal communications & engagement at Couchbase, Regine Nelson focuses on creating messages that help employees feel connected, valued and included. Nelson’s six-year career break spent navigating motherhood and entrepreneurship, gave her a fresh perspective on communication—one rooted in adaptability and understanding people’s needs. Now at Couchbase, she brings that same approach to her work, making sure employees get the information they need in a way that resonates.

What’s the most unexpected skill you developed during your career break that proved valuable when you returned to the communications field?

Stepping away from the corporate world for six years gave me an unexpected superpower: adaptability. During that time, I juggled motherhood, personal growth, and entrepreneurship, which required me to master self-directed learning, resilience and strategic communication. I learned how to translate complex emotions, needs and priorities into clear messaging — not in a boardroom, but in daily life. Whether it was advocating for my children, navigating cultural nuances as a multilingual parent, or managing family logistics with the precision of a project manager, I was constantly refining the art of effective communication. When I returned to internal comms, I found that this experience made me more attuned to audience-first messaging — understanding people’s needs, emotions, and barriers before crafting communication strategies. It also strengthened my ability to build influence without authority, a crucial skill in any internal comms role.

How has your perspective as a Black woman in tech influenced your approach to inclusive language and representation in employee communications?

As a Black woman in tech, I don’t just advocate for inclusivity — I live the experience of navigating spaces where representation is still catching up. This fuels my commitment to intentional inclusion in employee communications. I don’t just look at diversity as numbers on a slide; I ask, “Are we making sure all voices feel seen, heard, and valued?” That means choosing words that foster belonging, amplifying underrepresented voices, and challenging outdated narratives in company messaging. I also recognize that representation isn’t just visual — it’s structural. So, I push for systems that enable diverse employees to engage, contribute, and thrive, rather than just celebrating them during heritage months. My approach is strategic and personal — I know firsthand what it’s like to scan a leadership message and wonder, “Was this written with someone like me in mind?” I ensure the answer to that question is always yes.

Given your experience with digital transformation, how do you see AI potentially changing the internal communications landscape over the next five years?

AI is already transforming internal comms, but the real impact is just beginning. In the next five years, I see AI becoming a force and impact multiplier — helping comms teams personalize messaging at scale, automate repetitive tasks and analyze sentiment in real-time. However, AI will never replace the human elements of storytelling, culture-building and trust. The biggest shift will be from broadcasting to hyper-personalization. AI will help employees receive information that’s relevant to them based on role, location and preferences, rather than a one-size-fits-all newsletter or email. But here’s my concern: without an intentional strategy, AI-driven comms could reinforce biases in messaging, tone, and accessibility. As comms pros, our role will be to ensure AI is used ethically, reinforcing inclusive narratives rather than automating exclusion. AI can make comms more efficient, but only humans can make comms meaningful.

What advice would you give to comms pros who are struggling with imposter syndrome, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds?

First, you belong in this space — full stop. Imposter syndrome is real, but it’s not a reflection of your ability; it’s a reflection of systems that weren’t designed with people like us in mind. My biggest advice? Anchor yourself in impact, not approval. It’s easy to doubt yourself when you’re the only one in the room who looks like you, but your perspective is your superpower. You bring insights, lived experiences, and cultural awareness that others may not even realize they’re missing. Surround yourself with a community of like-minded professionals who can reaffirm your value, and don’t be afraid to document your wins — not just for your résumé, but as proof to yourself of how far you’ve come. Lastly, remember this: you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to be the most impactful one. Your work, your presence, and your perspective speak volumes.

What’s your go-to karaoke song that captures your personality or your journey in both life and career?

“Survivor” by Destiny’s Child. The lyrics capture so much of my journey — perseverance, resilience, and refusing to let challenges define me. Whether it was navigating a career break, breaking into tech, or building my brand while balancing motherhood, I’ve always approached life with the mindset that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. Also, let’s be honest — it’s a song that demands confidence, the exact energy I need when tackling big projects, stepping into leadership, or pushing through imposter syndrome. Plus, it’s impossible to sing it without feeling empowered.

If you could have coffee with one of your communications inspirations, what one question would you ask them?

I’d love to sit down with Brené Brown — her work on vulnerability and leadership resonates deeply with me. If I had the chance, I’d ask her: “How do you balance radical honesty with strategic messaging in corporate environments where fear, resistance, or bureaucracy can stifle authentic communication?” Internal comms often walks the tightrope between transparency and diplomacy, and I’d love her take on how to speak truth to power in a way that fosters connection rather than division.

If you could have one magical superpower to make your busy life easier, what would it be and how would you use it?

The ability to make copies of myself. I juggle so many roles — internal comms leader, content creator, ERG co-chair, mom of three, and aspiring author — there are never enough hours in the day. Imagine if I could send one version of me to handle meetings and emails while another, deep dives into strategy and a third helps my kids with homework? Game-changer. But since cloning isn’t an option, I focus on systems—automating what I can, delegating when possible, and reminding myself that I don’t have to do everything to be successful.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.