“Melissa Wiley is a beacon of inspiration, empowering women to lead with confidence and expertise. Her impactful presentations drive gender equity and inclusivity, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees. As a frequent speaker and supporter of ICMA's SheLeadsGov initiative, Melissa’s contributions are invaluable, shaping the future of women leaders in local government. Her passion and knowledge make every engagement a transformative experience.”
Laura Savage
Senior Program Manager, Equity and Inclusion, International City/County Management Association
“Melissa's presentation at our school was nothing short of inspiring. Her openness about her own experiences resonated with both students and faculty alike.
Melissa's discussion on beauty and self-acceptance was not only timely but also crucial in today's world, where the pressure to conform to narrow standards of beauty can be overwhelming. Her message of embracing one's uniqueness and finding strength in adversity was exactly what our students needed to hear.
What truly stood out was Melissa's genuine passion for making a difference. Her dedication to spreading awareness and fostering acceptance is commendable. It's evident that she is not only an advocate but also a catalyst for positive change. I have no doubt that she will touch the lives of many more individuals with her empowering message.”
Carole Bakhos
Executive Director and Rare Mom for Jordan’s Guardian Angels, Founder of 2villages
“Melissa Wiley is a phenomenal speaker for any group seeking to understand a broader lens of the world.
At The North Face, Melissa presented to our Global Marketing team on the topic of “Redefining Beauty.” She shared her personal insights and stories—connecting them to the broader human need for community and connection—and how brands might consider adopting a new approach to representation. She balances her content with realism, human-to-human moments, empathy, and humor.
Melissa’s style makes her content approachable and understandable. She offers more than just ‘feel good’ talking points and life lessons for her audiences, and instead shares workable ideas that elicit change and sharable messaging that can be championed to our own communities and social circles.
Beyond the traditional motivational speaker model, Melissa’s dynamic and powerful presentation makes a life-long impact with her audience. Our team at The North Face still reflects on her presentation nearly 2 years later.”
Wade Balmer
Senior Manager, Internal Communications, The North Face
“Melissa Wiley has the ability to connect with a room of people that is unmatched. The way she brings a crowd into her life, her story, and her message is an absolute gift, and everyone who receives it is better for it.
Each month for 2 years, I watched rooms full of people, regardless of age, station in life, or any other demographic, transform while listening to Melissa talk about what it means to be human, what it means to show love when you’re shown hate, what it means to connect to the humanity in others.
It changed them, and when she asked them to share their stories afterward, they opened up in ways they wouldn’t have imagined, and probably didn’t intend to with a group of colleagues—catharsis in action. If you’re looking for inspiration, connection, transformation, or even just reminding yourself that we each have the power to change this world, there is no one better than Melissa Wiley.”
Megan Williams
Director, Denver Peak Academy
“I’ve been fortunate to meet many an influential person in my career, but no one have made as profound and lasting an impact as Melissa Wiley. I first met Melissa is 2016 when she trained my team in Lean process improvement tools and techniques. I remember being awestruck even then by her captivating teaching style. She is an incredibly gifted trainer and public speaker—refreshingly relatable, crystal clear, and all-around inspiring.
Since then, I have continued to call on her as a mentor and I am consistently awestruck by her grace, grit, and—above all else—ability to consistently lean into her values and lead with empathy, authenticity, and strength of character. The world is a much better place with her in it, and I can’t wait to see how many more lives she will continue to change for the better.”
Jessie Rubin
Senior Manager of Performance and Innovation San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART)
“What a genuine, heart-felt presentation on the importance of experiencing and focusing on hope and joy in our lives! In today’s world with all the negativity, Melissa’s presentation was felt by everyone in that room, BRAVO! During breaks, I had employees approach me (who typically don’t) to talk to me about the self-reflection they were experiencing, and you could tell the content of the presentation was having an impact on them and their ability to self-reflect (including me!). I’m not sure if I’ve experienced this degree of emotion from myself or others in my career.”
Greg Hegarty
SVP of Business Operations, Denver International Airport
“I highly recommend Melissa Wiley to anyone seeking an inspirational speaker who can provide all audiences with an approachable and insightful message. Melissa has the ability to make you feel seen and also provide you with a new way of seeing. She is charming and funny and leaves everyone wanting more.”
Stephanie Karayannis Adams
Deputy CFO, City and County of Denver
“It takes courage to speak the truth, your truth. But when you do…when you’re vulnerable enough to share your story with others, you make a connection. And when you connect, you communicate.
Melissa Wiley spoke her truth in an inspirational speech as a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government. Her speaking took on power and her story touched everyone in the class. In her professional career since then, she has developed into a seasoned and powerful presenter, as well a remarkable leader. She knows how to use stories to connect with an audience, to keep it engaged, and get her message across.”
Arthur C. Benedict
Former Lecturer University of Pennsylvania