When It Matters Most, Say It with Intention
Words to Live By helps people express what’s most important—clearly and confidently. Whether you're writing wedding vows, honoring a loved one, preparing a keynote, or applying for funding that could transform your nonprofit’s future, we help you say what matters in a way that feels true to your voice and purpose.
Founded by Judy Sutton Taylor—a veteran journalist, speechwriter, and nonprofit storyteller—Words to Live By offers custom writing, coaching, and grant writing services for individuals navigating personal milestones and professionals leading public ones.
With more than three decades of experience writing for national publications, CEOs, foundations, and families, Judy brings empathy, structure, and editorial expertise to every engagement—turning raw ideas or scattered notes into powerful language that moves people.
Great writing begins with clarity—of voice, of purpose, and of heart.
That’s why we also offer clarity coaching as a standalone service for clients who need help sorting through what they want to say, long before the writing begins. Whether you're planning a speech, writing a tribute, or staring at a blinking cursor on a grant proposal, we help you get unstuck and move forward with intention.
Our AI-assisted packages offer a lower-cost option for clients who want a faster, more accessible starting point—with professional guidance to shape, refine, and humanize AI-generated drafts. We use smart tools, combined with seasoned editorial insight, to help you sound like the best version of yourself—without the stress of going it alone.
Words to Live By is based in Chicago and works with clients across the country.
About Judy
Judy Sutton Taylor is an editorial and nonprofit communications professional with a proven track record of helping people find the right words—when it matters most. With three decades of experience as a journalist, speechwriter, and grant strategist, she blends empathy, editorial precision, and mission-driven thinking to craft language that moves people.
Judy’s writing has appeared in national publications like Forbes, Condé Nast Traveler, Entrepreneur, and USA Today, and she’s served as a behind-the-scenes voice for CEOs, nonprofit leaders, and changemakers across the country.
Her grant proposals have helped organizations secure millions of dollars in funding, and her executive messaging has helped leaders connect with audiences in high-stakes settings—whether presenting to a board, addressing a crowd, or shaping a public voice.
Through Words to Live By, Judy offers a rare combination of storytelling intuition and strategic insight—elevating everything from wedding vows and memorial tributes to leadership speeches and funding appeals.