Driving Transformation in Higher Ed
While my current work spans industries, I’ve spent over two decades in higher education. I’m known for combining deep sector expertise with a one-of-a-kind approach to tackling thorny topics with creativity, empathy, and fresh insights.
“Melanie’s approach is never canned. She brings her probing mind, intellect, and expertise to understand your specific roadblocks and identify creative solutions. As a speaker, she is simultaneously commanding and empathic, able to engage audiences — whether boards, administrators, or academic leaders — in deep discussion and inspire them to pursue new ideas.”
Robert Manuel, President, DePaul University
“Melanie brings deep and broad knowledge about higher education, its challenges, and its potential to be transformative for students and communities. Additionally, her creativity and unmatched ability to spur strategic thinking are what set her apart. Melanie’s insights into how people think and learn allow her to design sessions that break through barriers and conventional thinking. Her workshops and executive sessions are fast-paced, fun and engaging, and simultaneously have a lot of depth, able to get people thinking in new ways.”
Julie Wollman, President emerita, Widener University
Keynotes, workshops, and retreats
Designed for the leadership challenges of our time, these sessions help leaders navigate complexity through fresh insights, practical tools, and the power of creative storytelling. Combining strategic leadership frameworks with methods drawn from the imaginative arts—visual storytelling, comics, guided writing and doodling exercises, and more—each session invites participants to think differently, engage deeply, and find clarity in uncertainty.
All offerings can be delivered as a keynote, interactive workshop, or retreat, customized for your audience and goals, and offered virtually or in-person. Other sessions available upon request. Click below to learn more, or download an overview document of all sessions.
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New ways to support teams through complexity, conflict, and change
How do you lead when the pressures keep mounting—but the path forward only gets murkier? Right now, leaders are navigating more than just complexity—they're dealing with overlapping tensions, impossible tradeoffs, and rising emotional strain across their teams. Every decision seems to carry higher stakes. Every conversation feels like it could escalate. And all of it is unfolding amid a backdrop of constant, unresolved change.
This session offers insights and practical frameworks for leading with intention, presence, and clarity—especially when there's no clear playbook. We'll explore what leadership mindsets need to shift in an era of complexity, experiment with practical tools for navigating high-conflict dynamics, and explore strategies for anchoring your team around shared direction. We'll also look at how leaders can create the conditions for "trial, error, and evolve"—helping teams take thoughtful risks and innovate in the ways this moment requires.
Key themes:
Understanding the difference between complicated and complex problems—and how today's challenges demand new leadership approaches
Distinguishing between healthy conflict (which allows for better outcomes) and high conflict (which derails progress)
Applying the Conflict Foresight Model—a framework to anticipate stakeholder reactions and develop thoughtful responses before tensions escalate
Encouraging "trial, error, and evolve"—making it safe for teams to take risks and adapt without a fixed roadmap
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Strategies for reclaiming time, energy, and focus for deeper impact
Leaders today describe their experience as a constant treadmill—a nonstop rush of decisions, demands, and disruptions. For mission-driven leaders, this creates a painful irony—being too caught up in immediate pressures to focus on the transformational work they came to do. These complex times require us to lead and plan in different ways—but creating space for that shift requires stepping off the treadmill first.
This session explores what it takes to protect your leadership energy, recalibrate priorities, and create space for the strategic work that matters most.
Key themes:
What this moment demands: Reframing time and energy as strategic resources, not self-care nice-to-haves
Why our calendars reflect our strategy and our culture: How we allocate time reveals what we truly prioritize
Recognizing your personal boundary saboteurs, the internal patterns that keep even seasoned leaders stuck on a treadmill
Strategic shifts that stick: Small, high-impact changes to reclaim focus and energy for what matters most
Leading through systemic burnout: Why today's conditions demand more than grit—and what it takes to lead sustainably
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Creative practices to lead with presence and purpose
How do we stay centered when the ground beneath us keeps changing? When external pressures pull us in different directions, returning to our internal compass becomes essential for authentic leadership. This session draws on concepts from mindfulness, values-centered leadership, and psychotherapy practices to help leaders reconnect with their core values, authentic voice, and sense of purpose—even when everything around us feels uncertain.
Through guided drawing exercises and reflective practices accessible to everyone (no artistic experience required), participants will explore what grounds them, identify what truly matters most, and develop practices for returning to their center when chaos threatens to overwhelm. This isn't about finding a fixed plan; instead, we’ll focus on the inner clarity that allows us to navigate the future with confidence, regardless of what comes next.
Key themes:
Why your internal compass matters: Understanding what it means to lead from your center during times of uncertainty
Creative exercises for reconnection: Activities that help you identify your core sources of stability, strength, and purpose
Mission vs. values: Understanding the difference and how to make values live and breathe in your leadership
Building practices for recalibration: Simple rituals and tools to return to your center when you feel pulled off course
Leading with authentic presence: How inner clarity translates into more confident, grounded leadership
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Practices for psychological safety, trust, and belonging in uncertain times
What does it take to foster psychological safety when everyone is feeling the emotional weight of today's challenges? How can you create an environment where people feel valued and heard, especially during times of uncertainty? This session explores how every leader—regardless of title—contributes to building inclusive culture through daily actions and interactions, and offers practical approaches for strengthening trust when it matters most.
Key themes:
Navigating new tensions—how stress and change affect engagement and belonging
Everyday actions for psychological safety: simple, consistent practices that build trust and morale when teams are strained
Surfacing invisible workplace norms that shape behavior and belonging—and identifying which ones need to change
Allyship beyond the buzzword: concrete actions for supporting colleagues across different identities and experiences
Keeping the long view: building toward your highest aspirations for culture and values, even in turbulent times
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Naming the patterns, shifting the culture
Women are often told to "lean in"—speak up more, negotiate better, be more confident. But this advice assumes a level playing field that many still don't experience. In this engaging session, award-winning author and artist Dr. Melanie Ho uses her unique approach of combining comics, research, and candid conversation to explore the deeper dynamics women face at work—and how we can support them in leading on their own terms.
Drawing from her book Beyond Leaning In and her series of feminist comics, this session invites honest dialogue about double standards, invisible labor, and the complex dynamics that still make professional life and advancement harder for women. Empowerment starts by naming what we're really up against—and imagining new ways forward together.
Key themes:
Understanding the "Goldilocks Dilemma" and other persistent double standards women face in leadership
The unique challenges of "the steep climb" as women advance in seniority
Exploring the concept of intent vs. impact and how to make difficult conversations more accessible
Challenging internalized bias: Recognizing and interrupting patterns that affect how women view themselves
Allyship and intersectionality: Concrete actions for supporting both women and allies across genders
Interactive doodling exercises for participants to imagine new ways forward together (no artistic experience required—we'll be using stick figures!)
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Tools and approaches for thinking beyond the now
In times like these, it can feel like imagination is a luxury—but it's actually a leadership necessity. When we're surrounded by uncertainty, urgency, or exhaustion, it's easy to get stuck reacting to the moment. Staying grounded in mission and values means making space to imagine the future we want to build. This session explores how leaders can use tools from the imaginative arts to break through assumptions, shift mindsets, and chart paths toward what's next. Drawing on creative visioning techniques, doodling exercises, and other approaches that unlock fresh perspectives, participants will reconnect with their ability to think beyond current constraints and help others do the same. No artistic experience required—you'll be surprised at what emerges when you give yourself permission to play.
Key themes:
The role of imagination in navigating complexity and change
Designing from the future—practices that help teams envision bold possibilities together
Drawing together to think differently—a playful way to surface new ways forward
Returning to your why—reconnecting with purpose, mission, and who you serve
The Chronicle’s Leadership Transformation Collaborative
I’m excited to announce my newest collaboration with The Chronicle of Higher Education: the Leadership Transformation Collaborative. It’s a unique new way to support higher ed leaders who are looking to grow as leaders and navigate these difficult times but don’t have the resources for a leadership coach.
Think of it as a combination of practical, insight-driven self-coaching tools; short modules that can easily be integrated into your busy schedules; and a supportive peer community to walk alongside you as you lead during a time of complexity, conflict, and change.
Our Four Focus Areas
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How can I make more time for what matters most, lead with intention, and avoid burnout when the day-to-day demands are constantly pulling me in different directions?
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What strategies can I use to anticipate and proactively address potential conflicts, before they derail our progress and erode morale?
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How can I foster genuine collaboration across silos, tapping into the collective wisdom of our institution to drive meaningful change?
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What leadership approaches will enable me to empower my team, provide stability, and inspire a shared vision, even in the face of change fatigue and ambiguity?
The Chronicle’s Biannual Women Leading Change Program
It’s been an honor to partner with The Chronicle of Higher Education in launching and leading our biannual "Women Leading Change Program” Running twice a year, our unique program includes tracks for women at different levels of higher education leadership, as well as a summit to bring together women and allies to partner on systemic and cultural change.
400+ participants from colleges and universities across the country have engaged in candid discussions about the unique challenges faced by women leaders in higher education. We' unlocked our imaginations (drawing exercise pictured here) to develop action plans for each participant’s commitments as a leader.
Next Dates - September 2025
“Women Leading Change helped me understand and process my experiences in new and engaging ways. I routinely use the strategies I learned during this workshop and have recommended them to my colleagues and friends in all industries. The connections I made with material and people continue to serve me and drive my work in ways I could not have imagined.”
— Sara Sullivan, Senior Associate Registrar, University of Iowa
“Dr Ho’s approach is thoughtful, nuanced, and creative. She asks big questions, but manages to do it in a way that is applicable and concrete. I recommend Women Leading Change to everyone, no matter where they may be in their leadership journey.”
— Inara Scott, Senior Associate Dean, College of Business, Oregon State University
Real Talk: Breaking Barriers for Women Leaders in Higher Ed
Looking at the numbers, women are well represented in higher education. But wage disparities persist, women are still underrepresented at the most senior levels, and continue to face persistent double standards at our institutions. The situation is even more challenging for women of color.
Because the “real talk” about what women face in higher education happens most frequently behind closed doors, it can be hard for women to openly discuss the biases they face at their own institutions, and also difficult for men to understand where they need to step up as allies.
My award-winning book, Beyond Leaning In, looks at the hidden barriers to gender equity that occur across all sectors, and I’ve written about how the book’s takeaways apply in higher education in Inside Higher Ed here.
What higher ed leaders are saying about Beyond Leaning In
“Beyond Leaning In is one of the best books I have come across addressing the challenging and complex issues of gender equity in workplaces. Each and every character brings to life issues that all of us can relate to in one form or another. The book can be used in college classrooms, HR departments, as well as boardrooms.”
— Jeet Joshee, Associate Vice President, International Education and Global Engagement, California State University- Long Beach
“Melanie Ho’s use of a fictional workplace and all of the different perspectives of those who work there helps us to grasp the complexities of diversity, equity and inclusion. Competing interests, cultural forces, lack of awareness are all aspects that make changing attitudes and behavior such hard work. The story is so engaging and fascinating, I had a hard time putting it down.”
— Lynne Schaefer, Interim President and CEO emerita, NACUBO; Vice President emerita, Administration and Finance, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The Art of Conflict Foresight
Many leaders confess that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the vast number of stakeholder groups (and sub-groups) that need to be a part of any change. While conflict and friction are a necessary part of any transformation, they can also lead mission-critical initiatives to come to a halt before they’ve even gotten started, or end up delayed by months or years.
Based on conversations with hundreds of higher education leaders, I’ve developed a model for developing the art of conflict foresight, helping you understand — and even benefit from — sources of tension, rather than letting them derail important efforts.
Depth and breadth of higher education expertise
As part of the founding team and former SVP of Research at EAB Global, I led over a hundred researchers that provided strategic, operational, and change management advice to more than 1500 educational institutions worldwide, including at 90% of the U.S. News Top 100. My responsibilities included overseeing research, services, and executive education gatherings for presidents, provosts, chief business officers, chief advancement officers, VPs of student affairs, heads of enrollment, chief information officers, deans of online and professional education, and more.
As one of EAB’s first 30 employees, I helped grow the firm to over 1300 employees and personally spearheaded the launch of several key products, including EAB’s offerings for presidents, as well as services to support colleges and universities in better serving non-traditional learners. After 12 years at EAB, I decided to become an independent speaker, facilitator, author, and consultant in 2020.
I began my career teaching literature, visual culture, and leadership courses at UCLA while earning my Ph.D. in English. My courses included those for undergraduates, working professionals, and high school outreach participants, and I was honored to receive the Academic Senate’s Distinguished Teaching Award. While at UCLA, I collaborated with administrators in academic, student, business, and external affairs on a wide range of campus topics. My leadership roles included serving on the Executive Committees of the College of Letters and Science and the English Department, and chairing the board of directors of ASUCLA, the $75-million organization that operates the bookstores, restaurants, and trademarks and licensing at UCLA.
“Melanie has built businesses, served as an executive leader, and advised multi-billion-dollar institutions — and that’s only a fraction of the unique expertise she brings to her work as a speaker and facilitator. She also draws on her background as a storyteller, educator, and artist to facilitate her audience to new ways of thinking. Our sessions with Melanie are always creative, memorable, and actionable.”
— Yolanda Gorman, Chief of Staff and Special Advisor to the Chancellor, UCLA
Representative insights
My higher ed expertise has been featured in Inside Higher Ed, the Chronicle of Higher Education, NPR, Evolllution, Higher Ed Dive, and more. A few illustrative pieces are below.
Recent higher ed presentations include:
“Postcards from Your Future Self: A ‘Design Fiction’ Experience,” AASCU Academy for New Provosts (November 2022)
“Managing Conflict,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, Strategic Leadership Program for Department Chairs (January 2023)
“Drawing Out DEI: Reimagining Workplace Equity through the Power of Art,” Community College League of California Women’s Caucus and AAPITA Caucus (March 2023)
“Beyond Leaning In,” ACE Annual Meeting (April 2023)
