 Leadership isn’t meant to be a solo journey — and Melanie Stuber is here to make sure you never feel like you're navigating it alone. As the founder and CEO of Cultivate and Thrive, Melanie brings over 25 years of leadership experience and a passion for helping others grow through the power of authentic connection. Her breakout session, “Unlocking the Power of Relationships for Leadership Growth: A Strategic Investment in Your Network,” dives into the kind of relationship-building that goes far beyond networking events and coffee chats. It’s about creating a support system, owning your value, and building trust with purpose. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, Melanie’s message is clear: investing in meaningful relationships isn’t just good for leadership — it’s essential for thriving. Q1: Your session focuses on the power of relationships in leadership growth. What inspired you to center this session around networking and connection rather than traditional “hard skills”? Melanie: In my 25+ years in corporate leadership, I saw over and over that the most talented leaders weren’t always the ones who advanced—it was the leaders who also built strong, authentic relationships. Hard (technical) skills matter, however, they’re not what set you apart in the long run. As the workplace continues to evolve, it's even more important for leaders to feel connected and supported—otherwise the pressure to do everything themselves can leave them isolated and burned out. Strong relationships counter that by providing encouragement, perspective, and accountability. And at the heart of it all is trust - and you build trust when you are intentional with investing in your relationships. Trust is what turns good leaders into great leaders, because it allows them to show up authentically, create real impact, and sustain their success through the inevitable challenges of leadership. Q2: You talk about building a “personal board of directors” to help leaders thrive. What does that look like in practice, and how can attendees start identifying the right people for their board? Melanie: A personal board of directors is the intentional group of people who advise, challenge, encourage, and celebrate you along your leadership journey. Think of it as your built-in support system of mentors, peers, sponsors, coaches, and experts. To start, I encourage leaders to first know and own their worth—what makes them unique—their experiences, expertise, knowledge, and strengths. And as important, to recognize they cannot be everything to everyone. That’s where the magic happens: when leaders understand their value and then explore who in their network has strengths that complement theirs to help them grow in new ways. From there, we look at the goals they’re pursuing and the characteristics they value most in others—trust, accountability, diverse perspectives, encouragement. With that clarity, it becomes easier to ask: Who already shows up for me in this way? Who could I intentionally invite into my circle of support? Q3: For leaders navigating complex workplace dynamics, what’s one simple, actionable step they can take today to start cultivating more intentional relationships? Melanie: Taking time to truly get to know others on a personal level helps them feel valued as a person—not just as another employee. Notice the details they share—their aspirations, family, concerns, and challenges—and follow up to check in. That consistent act of listening and following through may seem small, yet it builds trust, strengthens connection, and demonstrates that you value them beyond their output. And when people feel seen and supported in this way, they’re more motivated to perform at their best—ultimately leading to a higher performing team. Q4: Owning your value and advocating for yourself can feel uncomfortable for a lot of leaders. What mindset shifts or strategies have you found most powerful in helping leaders do this confidently? Melanie: One powerful shift is understanding self-advocacy isn't self-promotion. It’s not about bragging; it’s about making sure your contributions are visible so your team, your organization, and even your community can benefit from them. I encourage leaders to reframe it as sharing value, not taking up space. A practical strategy is to practice using clear, confident language about your achievements—start small with “I led” or “I contributed to”—until it feels natural. Confidence grows with repetition. Q5: As the founder and CEO of Cultivate and Thrive, you work with leaders across industries. What’s one surprising insight you’ve gained about how strong relationships accelerate leadership success? Melanie: One surprising insight is how much strong relationships reduce the weight leaders carry on their shoulders. So many leaders believe they need to have all the answers and do it all themselves—when they build genuine relationships, they discover they don’t have to. Trusted connections bring perspective, complementary strengths, and honest feedback that not only help leaders make better decisions, but also give them the confidence to move forward without the constant pressure of perfection. In every industry I’ve worked with, I’ve seen that when leaders invest in strong, trust-filled relationships, they move faster, grow stronger, and create more resilient teams around them. Q6: If attendees walk away from your session and make just one intentional change in how they build relationships, what do you hope it is—and why? Melanie: I hope they walk away with the courage to ask for support. Too many leaders carry the weight of believing they need to do it all alone, which can leave them isolated and exhausted. Inviting others doesn’t signal weakness; it demonstrates strength and intentionality. When leaders give themselves permission to lean on their personal board of directors, they accelerate their own growth while also creating space for others to thrive alongside them. The truth is, leadership was never meant to be a solo journey. If you're ready to lead with greater clarity, confidence, and connection, this session is for you. Walk away with actionable strategies to own your value, build a network that supports your growth, and expand your leadership impact—starting with the relationships that matter most.
Speaker: Melanie Stuber Session: Unlocking the Power of Relationships for Leadership Growth: A Strategic Investment in Your Network Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025 Time: 12:45pm-2:00pm Location: Portia/Wisteria Presentation Track: Personal and Leadership Development Be sure to connect with Melanie on LinkedIn!
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