About Melissa

I'm Melissa, M.Ed., non-profit leader, writer, and coach. I hold a fierce passion for helping people become the best versions of themselves. I live by the belief that strong coaching requires connection, dedication, honesty, and respect. Connection between coach and client. Dedication to your journey. Honesty in communication. Respect for your unique goals and experiences. An educator by training, I have coached, taught, and advised individuals representing more than 50 countries, ranging between the ages of 13-80. I utilize a strengths-based approach that prioritizes your goals and needs, while also balancing leadership development, vision and mission exploration, skill cultivation, and meaningful, personalized self-expression. With my experience in writing, college access, and academic success, I have a successful track record of helping students gain admission to selective undergraduate, graduate, and medical programs, including Cornell, University of California San Diego, University of California Irvine, Case Western, University of Virginia, University of Pittsburgh, Boston University, Indiana University, DePaul University, Loyola University Chicago, and more. Fun fact! I was admitted to Marquette University under a prestigious scholarship to complete a PhD, but I decided that full-time teaching in academia wasn't for me. Beyond my work with clients and students, I enjoy being a mom and wife, traveling to a new country, and hosting themed dinners with friends and family!