Women Step Forward

Women Step Forward – Happy and Empowered Women

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Justine

Director

Melanie is exceptional. The guidance and coaching she provided have had a profound impact on both my personal development and my career. Her generosity with time, energy, and support is something I’ll always appreciate. Thank you.
Melanie is exceptional. The guidance and coaching she provided have had a profound impact on both my personal development and my career. Her generosity with time, energy, and support is something I’ll always appreciate. Thank you.

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Wendy

People Leader, Public Sector

I absolutely loved working with Melanie. She really took the time to listen and understand my values and where I was at. During coaching she really challenged my thinking and pushed me take action in areas I knew I needed to work on but was actively avoiding! Nothing like that uncomfortable feeling and subsequent growth you get from effective coaching.
I absolutely loved working with Melanie. She really took the time to listen and understand my values and where I was at. During coaching she really challenged my thinking and pushed me take action in areas I knew I needed to work on but was actively avoiding! Nothing like that uncomfortable feeling and subsequent growth you get from effective coaching.

Friederike
Asking for help has never come easily to me, but reaching out to Mel was a game changer. She is an exceptional mentor, communicator, and role model. Every time we connect, she responds with genuine empathy, understanding, grit, and quick wit, where I feel safe and enabled to challenge my beliefs, foster personal growth and find answers. Mel tailors her support to my values, needs, and circumstances, ensuring that every kōrero is meaningful and impactful. Whether navigating major career challenges or seemingly small decisions in my work life, Mel has become my trusted go-to. I know I can rely on her for valuable insights, technical knowledge, learning new tools and skills, and her guidance. Thanks to Mel, I've gained clarity on who I am, what my strengths and needs are, and how to leverage them to navigate challenges. She - and now I do too - understands what truly matters to me, asks thought-provoking questions, introduces fresh perspectives, and helps guide my decision-making process. After every conversation with Mel, I feel reassured, empowered, and inspired to take action, no matter what comes next.
Asking for help has never come easily to me, but reaching out to Mel was a game changer. She is an exceptional mentor, communicator, and role model. Every time we connect, she responds with genuine empathy, understanding, grit, and quick wit, where I feel safe and enabled to challenge my beliefs, foster personal growth and find answers. Mel tailors her support to my values, needs, and circumstances, ensuring that every kōrero is meaningful and impactful. Whether navigating major career challenges or seemingly small decisions in my work life, Mel has become my trusted go-to. I know I can rely on her for valuable insights, technical knowledge, learning new tools and skills, and her guidance. Thanks to Mel, I've gained clarity on who I am, what my strengths and needs are, and how to leverage them to navigate challenges. She - and now I do too - understands what truly matters to me, asks thought-provoking questions, introduces fresh perspectives, and helps guide my decision-making process. After every conversation with Mel, I feel reassured, empowered, and inspired to take action, no matter what comes next.

Jessica Borg

Chief Psychologist

It was early in my leadership journey that I reached out to Melanie after watching her on stage at a Women in Leadership (Public Service) conference. She was full of energy, inspiring, and made the crowd laugh. I just had to meet this Wahine Toa and beg her to coach me! Melanie and I met for coffee and we connected on many levels. We instantly knew this was going to be the start of a massive growth in my leadership skills and personal development. Melanie supported me to prepare for my interview for a Tier 3 role in public service and provided me with key advice and approaches to address some very complex situations. I would leave each session feeling inspired and ready to tackle whatever comes my way with optimism and aroha. We worked together for two years and I can not thank her enough for her valuable input into my career. If you are looking to be uplifted, to develop your career goals and put them into action, and can self-reflect (very imp skill) then Melanie is the ideal coach!
It was early in my leadership journey that I reached out to Melanie after watching her on stage at a Women in Leadership (Public Service) conference. She was full of energy, inspiring, and made the crowd laugh. I just had to meet this Wahine Toa and beg her to coach me! Melanie and I met for coffee and we connected on many levels. We instantly knew this was going to be the start of a massive growth in my leadership skills and personal development. Melanie supported me to prepare for my interview for a Tier 3 role in public service and provided me with key advice and approaches to address some very complex situations. I would leave each session feeling inspired and ready to tackle whatever comes my way with optimism and aroha. We worked together for two years and I can not thank her enough for her valuable input into my career. If you are looking to be uplifted, to develop your career goals and put them into action, and can self-reflect (very imp skill) then Melanie is the ideal coach!

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Phillipa Guthrey

Department of Internal Affairs

Mel was a great guide and cheer squad for me during a difficult time in my professional career. She provided me with meaningful advice and clear steps to get me unstuck and achieving again. Her approach was compassionate and caring, yet she also challenged and pushed me! I use the tools and advice Mel gave me every day, and can definitely recommend her to anyone needing a coach.
Mel was a great guide and cheer squad for me during a difficult time in my professional career. She provided me with meaningful advice and clear steps to get me unstuck and achieving again. Her approach was compassionate and caring, yet she also challenged and pushed me! I use the tools and advice Mel gave me every day, and can definitely recommend her to anyone needing a coach.

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Katie Horrex

Communications Manager

After suffering complete burnout at work, Melanie built me back up, shining a light on my strengths and abilities, giving me back my confidence as a leader. She offered up expert guidance and explored how to navigate some incredibly complex and gnarly scenarios, which helped me to grow an exceptionally engaged, high -performing team who are connected and driven. Melanie has a beautiful way of honing your passions, values and skills, and how these can be used to lift you up and support you in your mahi. I really loved exploring what combination of strengths could be dialed up or dialed down to get the best outcome in any given situation. I felt seen and any self-doubt that had crept in, left!

After suffering complete burnout at work, Melanie built me back up, shining a light on my strengths and abilities, giving me back my confidence as a leader. She offered up expert guidance and explored how to navigate some incredibly complex and gnarly scenarios, which helped me to grow an exceptionally engaged, high -performing team who are connected and driven. Melanie has a beautiful way of honing your passions, values and skills, and how these can be used to lift you up and support you in your mahi. I really loved exploring what combination of strengths could be dialed up or dialed down to get the best outcome in any given situation. I felt seen and any self-doubt that had crept in, left!

Catriona Petrie

GM Qualifications, Waihanga Ara Rau

I've worked with Mel both one on one and as part of a executive leadership programme cohort. I'm a big fan of a strengths-based approach and Mel excels at focusing on how to build on what you already do well to grow your leadership skills with authenticity. Her energy is unmatched and was very effective at challenging me to push myself to lean into discomfort and move from reflection to action. I recommend Mel as someone who is passionate about supporting women to succeed as themselves.
I've worked with Mel both one on one and as part of a executive leadership programme cohort. I'm a big fan of a strengths-based approach and Mel excels at focusing on how to build on what you already do well to grow your leadership skills with authenticity. Her energy is unmatched and was very effective at challenging me to push myself to lean into discomfort and move from reflection to action. I recommend Mel as someone who is passionate about supporting women to succeed as themselves.

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Victoria Evans

Public sector communications director

Over the past two years I have worked with Melanie on and off on a range of different leadership challenges and personal growth. I was recommended her by a former colleague who raved about how much Melanie had helped her and she was right. When I first met Melanie she helped me reset my team which had recently had some personnel changes. She helped me identify what my leadership strengths were and how I could use them to build a strong and unifed team and coached me through making this a reality, which I did because of Melanie. I also got some great coaching about my own personal brand and leadership style when I had a change of senior leader I reported to and most recently as I have been working on my CV, looking for new career opportunities. The thing I love about Melanie is her energy and her ability to build up your confidence every time you meet. After each session I feel like I can do anything, that I know my worth and my strengths. She reinforces why I do what I do and has really helped me define my purpose. I would recommend her a thousand times over! I’m so grateful to Melanie for her guidance and wisdom.
Over the past two years I have worked with Melanie on and off on a range of different leadership challenges and personal growth. I was recommended her by a former colleague who raved about how much Melanie had helped her and she was right. When I first met Melanie she helped me reset my team which had recently had some personnel changes. She helped me identify what my leadership strengths were and how I could use them to build a strong and unifed team and coached me through making this a reality, which I did because of Melanie. I also got some great coaching about my own personal brand and leadership style when I had a change of senior leader I reported to and most recently as I have been working on my CV, looking for new career opportunities. The thing I love about Melanie is her energy and her ability to build up your confidence every time you meet. After each session I feel like I can do anything, that I know my worth and my strengths. She reinforces why I do what I do and has really helped me define my purpose. I would recommend her a thousand times over! I’m so grateful to Melanie for her guidance and wisdom.

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Claire Linskill

General Manager Enterprise Risk & Compliance, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Melanie is a superb coach and mentor! Her advice was always helpful. She challenged my thinking and perceptions in a constructive way and helped me to better understand my strengths and areas for improvement. She also helped me to back myself and I definitely felt that my confidence increased after working with Melanie. Melanie also did some workshop facilitation for our leadership team, and she was equally impressive! I would highly recommend Melanie.
Melanie is a superb coach and mentor! Her advice was always helpful. She challenged my thinking and perceptions in a constructive way and helped me to better understand my strengths and areas for improvement. She also helped me to back myself and I definitely felt that my confidence increased after working with Melanie. Melanie also did some workshop facilitation for our leadership team, and she was equally impressive! I would highly recommend Melanie.

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Penny O'Leary

Executive Dean UCOL Te Pūkenga

In my position as Executive Dean for a tertiary education provider in New Zealand, I was very privileged to have Melanie as my Coach for a period of time. At the time the sector was going through significant and unique change, and so it was perfect timing for me to get know my strengths using the GALLUP programme. Knowing my strengths laid the foundation of all our discussions and learnings. As the findings were personalized it meant that Melanie and I quickly formed trust between us, and therefore our communications were always frank and open. It was easy for me to engage in self-reflection and enquiry, as Melanie enabled me to explore the source of truth of my perceptions and, help me critique my thoughts and strategies in the management role. I learnt that my strengths are unique which made me feel special, and so now I have more competence and confidence to make the difference expected from my employer.
In my position as Executive Dean for a tertiary education provider in New Zealand, I was very privileged to have Melanie as my Coach for a period of time. At the time the sector was going through significant and unique change, and so it was perfect timing for me to get know my strengths using the GALLUP programme. Knowing my strengths laid the foundation of all our discussions and learnings. As the findings were personalized it meant that Melanie and I quickly formed trust between us, and therefore our communications were always frank and open. It was easy for me to engage in self-reflection and enquiry, as Melanie enabled me to explore the source of truth of my perceptions and, help me critique my thoughts and strategies in the management role. I learnt that my strengths are unique which made me feel special, and so now I have more competence and confidence to make the difference expected from my employer.

Nicki Reeves

Liquidity and Investor Relations Manager | Kāinga Ora

“The transformation that I experienced throughout my partnership with Melaniewas exceptional. Melanie’s knowledge and skill set encouraged me to discover myvalues, organic branding and leadership style. With this, Melanie helped me understand that with my positivity and confidence, I can achieve my goal with amazing results and continue pushing myself outside my comfort zone. Thank you, Melanie. You are an inspiration to other women, and your time andcoaching skills will stay with me throughout the rest of my career.”
“The transformation that I experienced throughout my partnership with Melaniewas exceptional. Melanie’s knowledge and skill set encouraged me to discover myvalues, organic branding and leadership style. With this, Melanie helped me understand that with my positivity and confidence, I can achieve my goal with amazing results and continue pushing myself outside my comfort zone. Thank you, Melanie. You are an inspiration to other women, and your time andcoaching skills will stay with me throughout the rest of my career.”

Sheetal Shivani Sharma

Team Leader – Finance | Kāinga Ora

“Mel is amazing; it was an absolute honour to work with her and learn some amazing leadership skills. I was always reminded of what I wanted to become and where to from now. She has always boosted my self-confidence and assisted me with speaking in training, group activities and similar exercises. This has helped me become confident in myself and my opinions, even when faced with opposition. Thank you, Mel. You are a leader that knows the way, goes the way and shows the way! ”
“Mel is amazing; it was an absolute honour to work with her and learn some amazing leadership skills. I was always reminded of what I wanted to become and where to from now. She has always boosted my self-confidence and assisted me with speaking in training, group activities and similar exercises. This has helped me become confident in myself and my opinions, even when faced with opposition. Thank you, Mel. You are a leader that knows the way, goes the way and shows the way! ”

Rachel Beck

Senior Advisor | Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua

“Identifying my strengths has allowed me to get excited about future opportunities. Understanding the relationship between my strengths and values has made me much clearer on what I need to thrive. Being able to capture the type of environment and factors I need to grow and develop and operate at my best has allowed me to refine what I search for. “Breaking down each of those strengths and the blind spots that come with those has made me much more aware of how I operate, engage, and collaborate with my colleagues. I am currently a Senior Advisor. Melanie helped me realise that my title didn’t determine my leadership. I had previously never thought of myself as a leader. However, through these sessions, Melanie helped me realise that I am a leader. I lead through my own style and brand, leading through my values and principles. Melanie is incredible at empowering individuals, challenging your thinking, and opening up your views to different types of opportunities. Her sessions made me feel safe and nurtured my confidence. Her kindness and way of championing you forward was an invaluable experience that I will carry forward to help shape my future aspirations.”
“Identifying my strengths has allowed me to get excited about future opportunities. Understanding the relationship between my strengths and values has made me much clearer on what I need to thrive. Being able to capture the type of environment and factors I need to grow and develop and operate at my best has allowed me to refine what I search for. “Breaking down each of those strengths and the blind spots that come with those has made me much more aware of how I operate, engage, and collaborate with my colleagues. I am currently a Senior Advisor. Melanie helped me realise that my title didn’t determine my leadership. I had previously never thought of myself as a leader. However, through these sessions, Melanie helped me realise that I am a leader. I lead through my own style and brand, leading through my values and principles. Melanie is incredible at empowering individuals, challenging your thinking, and opening up your views to different types of opportunities. Her sessions made me feel safe and nurtured my confidence. Her kindness and way of championing you forward was an invaluable experience that I will carry forward to help shape my future aspirations.”

Jess White

Programme Co-Lead | Health Care Home National Collaborative

“Mel really challenged my mindset right from the beginning in the leadership space, as I had always considered it important to work on my weaknesses, which I could easily identify and knew was work on. Mel flipped this and encouraged me to channel my strengths identified through Gallup and lean into them as a foundation for leadership. In fact, Mel made me realise that what I thought were my weaknesses I was using and developing every day, and while they don’t come naturally to me and I have to work at them, it doesn’t mean to say that I am not good at them.”
“Mel really challenged my mindset right from the beginning in the leadership space, as I had always considered it important to work on my weaknesses, which I could easily identify and knew was work on. Mel flipped this and encouraged me to channel my strengths identified through Gallup and lean into them as a foundation for leadership. In fact, Mel made me realise that what I thought were my weaknesses I was using and developing every day, and while they don’t come naturally to me and I have to work at them, it doesn’t mean to say that I am not good at them.”

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Alison Parks
“Melanie was a critical sounding board while I was managing a performance challenge. She helped me to re-group, re-energise and play to my strengths to achieve a successful outcome.”
“Melanie was a critical sounding board while I was managing a performance challenge. She helped me to re-group, re-energise and play to my strengths to achieve a successful outcome.”

Kelly Borst

Culture and Capability Advisor | Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua

“Melanie’s advice and support have truly increased my confidence as a woman and my abilities at work. She showed me the importance of leadership at any level of the business and how we all have a part to play and valuable contributions to make. Melanie’s support and advice helped me step out of my shell and feel confident contributing my thoughts and ideas.

Melanie supported and guided me through new role negotiations, and with her in my corner, I felt more confident and prepared than I did. Melanie can cut through any uncertainty and see things for how they are. I feel extremely lucky to have someone like Melanie as a mentor who is incredibly quick thinking, creative and committed.

Melanie is 100% committed to her work and clients. Her passion and energy are so contagious. I can say without a doubt that she really gets the working environment for women at all role levels. Melanie understands people and how to strategically navigate career and life goals.”

“Melanie’s advice and support have truly increased my confidence as a woman and my abilities at work. She showed me the importance of leadership at any level of the business and how we all have a part to play and valuable contributions to make. Melanie’s support and advice helped me step out of my shell and feel confident contributing my thoughts and ideas.

Melanie supported and guided me through new role negotiations, and with her in my corner, I felt more confident and prepared than I did. Melanie can cut through any uncertainty and see things for how they are. I feel extremely lucky to have someone like Melanie as a mentor who is incredibly quick thinking, creative and committed.

Melanie is 100% committed to her work and clients. Her passion and energy are so contagious. I can say without a doubt that she really gets the working environment for women at all role levels. Melanie understands people and how to strategically navigate career and life goals.”