Hello!

Here’s how I can help…

  • I lead conversations that move people and businesses forward—through team training, executive coaching, and workshops that build emotional intelligence, communication, and inclusive leadership.
    Services include:

    • Design Thinking & Brainstorming Workshops

    • Feedback & Communication Training

    • Leadership Coaching & Development

    • Inclusive Leadership Training for Executive Teams

    • Women’s Leadership Cohorts (Business, Emotional, & Social Intelligence)

  • Empowering engineers and technologists with the tools they need to succeed—inside and outside the lab.
    Offerings include:

    • The Student to Professional Transition: EQ -focused training for Gen-Z young professionals, tailored to client’s business principles and needs.

    • Consulting 101: Consulting-world onboarding for technical professionals

    • Job-Hunting Course for Recent Engineering & Technical Grads

    • Leadership and communication training tailored for STEM teams

  • Connecting the right people and opportunities to accelerate growth—especially in water, environmental, and STEM fields.
    Support includes:

    • Commission-based B2B sales (water & environmental sectors)

    • Investment support for startups

    • Fee-based referrals for technical, PM, and leadership talent

    • Advisory and board matchmaking

Latest Client Testimonial…

“It was phenomenal! Everyone I spoke to was raving about what a great speaker you were, and the committee couldn’t agree more! Thank you so much for your time; we could not be happier with how it went. I’m hoping we can have you back again to discuss things more in depth.”

-Private Engineering Client

Select Speaking Engagements 

  • Presenter - Navigating the Gender Leadership Gap Private Engineering Client, 2025

  • Presenter - Business Intelligence & Your Career Private Engineering Client, 2025

  • Podcast Guest - Guest on the New Manufacturing Insights Podcast discussing Advancing and Supporting Women’s Careers, 2025

  • Facilitator - Holistic Leadership; The Missing Link in Women’s Career Advancement - Berghammer Construction, 2025.

  • Panelist - The Missing Link in Leadership Advice for Women - UW Construction Engineering, 2024.

  • Keynote - Making Meaning in the AI Era - Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, 2024.

  • Keynote - Women in Water Learning Exchange at the AZ Water Association Statewide Annual Conference, 2024.

  • Keynote Speaker on International Women’s Day for Confidential Manufacturing Client - “How Women Can Have a Career that Soars!” and “ Networking Like a Boss,” 2024.

  • Facilitator, CEO Panel - The Lead to Soar Summit, Australia, 2023.

  • Speaker - “Business, Strategic & Financial Acumen: Concept to Practice” Confidential AE Client, 2023.

  • Keynote (The Keystone Professional) & Workshop Facilitator (Decoding Confidence; Communication for Engagement) - Confidential AE Client, 2023

  • Keynote - Private Event for Confidential AE Client - “Choosing to Lead the AE Professionals of Tomorrow,” 2023.

  • Speaker - “How Women Can Have a Career that Soars!” Confidential Client, 2023.

  • Facilitator and Co-host of the Lead to Soar Summit, US, 2023.

  • Keynote - Conference for AEC Leaders, "Your Leadership Pipeline: Closing the Gender Gap." 2023

  • Presenter - Webinar for AEC Leaders “Prepare Women to be Your A/E/C Firm Leaders of Tomorrow -- Today!,” 2023

  • Speaker - AEC Senior Executive Briefing, “Advancing Women in AEC,“ 2023

  • Presenter - University of Pittsburgh Society of Women Engineers FiERCE Forum, 2023

  • Training Presenter - Confidential Fortune 500 Client, "Sponsorship versus Mentorship." 2022

  • Keynote - TalentMAX by PSMJ, "Seriously Supporting the Female Talent Pipeline." 2022

  • Host and Presenter - The Lead to Soar Summit, "Systems for Success." 2022

  • Podcast Guest - The Everyday Heroine podcast by Maria Kauffman, 2022.

  • Panelist - University of Pittsburgh Society of Women Engineers FiERCE Forum, 2022

  • Podcast Guest - Wine After Work with Bryce Batts, 2022

  • Speaker - Confidential Corporate Client - Teamwork for Creatives, 2022

  • Speaker - Confidential Corporate Client - Leading for Productivity and Connectivity, 2022

  • Podcast Guest - "A Smarter Way to Find a Job," American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Plot Points, 2021

  • Speaker - "Closing the Gender Leadership Gap at the Top," RMWEA, 2021

  • Speaker/Facilitator - Confidential Corporate Client - Effective Mentorship for Leaders, 2021

  • Speaker/Facilitator - Confidential Corporate Client - Mentorship and Sponsorship for YPs, 2021

  • Guest Panelist - GWI, Industrial Facility Water Challenges, 2021

  • Podcast Guest - Curate the Future, 2021

  • Podcast Guest - Non-Traditional College Success podcast, 2021

  • Speaker/Facilitator - Women’s Conference - Developing Your Power Network, 2020

  • Podcast Guest - Words on Water Podcast by WEF, On the State of Women in the Water Industry, 2021

About Mel…

Bio

Headshot of Mel Butcher

Mel Butcher is a Consultant, Facilitator, and Creator with over 15 years of professional experience. Mel speaks and provides training on workplace leadership, engagement, and self and organizational leadership, particularly in AEC/STEM spaces.

Mel is co-President of Lead to Soar, an organization with a mission to close the leadership gender gap using research-backed methods. As part of Lead to Soar, Mel consults directly to organizational leaders on closing the gender leadership gap. She also facilitates courses focused on equipping women with what they most need to advance and earn leadership positions, namely — business, strategic, and financial acumen.

Mel has served as a technical consultant for clients in the US and abroad, providing advisory across leadership, business management, environmental/water risk, and corporate sustainability. Mel holds a BS and MS in Engineering and a BA in Language.