I’m Melissa

I’m a New York City native, a leadership coach, a communications executive, a massive animal lover, and a mom to a sassy, spirited cat who reminds me to live every day with joy, curiosity, and a fierce determination to honor my feelings and needs.

But I wasn’t always this way. In fact, for a large chunk of my life, I wasn’t even entirely sure what my feelings and needs were. I had spent so much of my life focusing on other people that I was completely out of touch with myself.

But I didn’t know that, and more importantly, I didn’t know that there was any other way. It’s taken me years to work through my own limiting beliefs, but it’s been the most exciting, impactful, and rewarding journey I’ve ever been on. And it’s one I hope to remain on for the rest of my life.

For the last 20 years, I’ve worked in the nonprofit sector, and I’ve seen countless colleagues struggle with the same issues I’ve struggled with. Nonprofits are notorious for attracting sensitive, passionate, caretaking individuals to their cause - people who will do whatever it takes to improve quality of life for others - but many of us can be hindered by interpersonal challenges. And these challenges are not limited to nonprofit professionals or the confines of an office.

We are ALL leaders, and we all struggle to communicate effectively, cultivate healthy relationships, honor our own needs and boundaries, and find balance, purpose, and joy in our personal and professional lives. But I promise you that life becomes so much easier, richer, and more fulfilling when we can.

So, why leadership coaching, and why the The Adult Chair®  model?                 

I think Brene Brown said it best when she said, “Who we are is how we lead.” So many traditional leadership and executive coaches focus on providing tactics, but telling someone what actions they need to take without understanding and addressing what has prevented them from taking them in the first place is like giving someone advice and expecting their problems to be solved.

It may be fantastic advice, but if it isn’t aligned with their current belief system, the chances that they will successfully implement that advice are slim to none.

It’s important to remember that we see the world not as it is, but as WE are. Our past experiences and beliefs determine our perceptions and inform our behaviors, so if we want to take new actions, we have to be willing to examine, challenge, and transform our old beliefs.

What I love about the The Adult Chair model is that it helps you get to the root of your blocks with the sole purpose of using that information to move you forward.

This isn’t analysis; we don’t stay in the past – we use the past to show us what we need to work on so that you can let go of the stories that are keeping you stuck and replace them with a story that speaks to who you are and where you are headed TODAY. And then, together, we discuss and determine the best tactics and actions to help you get there.

My own journey of self-discovery and growth has led me from the rooms of Al-Anon and CoDA to developing a regular meditation and journaling practice and implementing various health and wellness habits ranging from getting up to watch the sun rise and spending daily time in nature to most importantly, connecting with my body and living from my Adult Chair.

You may resonate with some of these things or none of them, and that’s ok. The point is that there are countless ways to improve our lives, and every action – no matter how seemingly small – creates a ripple effect, leading us to the next step on our path, and ultimately, transforming our lives in monumental ways.

I look forward to helping you transform yours.

  • Melissa, thank you for following your passion and doing this work. I appreciate how comfortable you made me feel to speak on such vulnerable topics. I was able to drop into my body and feel emotions that I was pushing down for so long. You created a safe space for me to speak my truth. I know I have more work to do but this was the start of a beautiful journey that I am beginning.

    Lisa

  • Thank you, Melissa, for the shift in perspective and boost of confidence. I feel true to myself after our session and that feels so good!

    Rebecca

  • Thank you Melissa, for holding space for my feelings of loss and sadness. And guiding me to give myself permission for my myriad of emotions through grief.

    Alexis

Are you ready to transform your beliefs and rewrite your story?

I offer a free 20-minute consultation to all new clients to make sure this is a good fit. 

I’ve been where you are and I can promise you that there is no better investment than the one you make in yourself. I look forward to meeting you!