INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY BREAKFAST - GUEST SPEAKER - MELISSA THOMSEN
Redefining Power: The Feminine Advantage in Leadership
True power isn’t forceful - it’s spacious, connected, and deeply intentional. When women thrive, there’s room to vision, create, and lead with clarity. This presentation invites women to rise into their authentic leadership - not by hardening to compete or shrinking back to stay safe, but by embracing a more integrated, empowered way of leading. Melissa explores how heart-led leadership balances curiosity and connection with courageous communication, where assertiveness delivered with integrity and compassion becomes an act of kindness.
This kind of leadership not only protects your energy and your team’s well-being, it also models respect - for self and for others and creates a culture of trust. When women embody this integrated power - spacious, creative, assertive yet compassionate - they elevate themselves and strengthen their relationships with the masculine.
This is where the whole world thrives: when we rise in our self-leadership, honour each person’s strengths, and create environments that benefit all. Key Talking Points The Myth of Power: Moving away from force, control, and competition into a more intentional, creative, and balanced leadership. The Feminine Advantage: How curiosity, vision, and connected leadership foster innovation and sustainable success. Courageous Communication: Why assertiveness with empathy is not only kind but essential for healthy boundaries and team respect. Integration over Extremes: Shifting from 'hard and competitive” or 'quiet and overlooked' into authentic influence. Becoming Your Own Guru: Learning to listen beyond data, leadership models, and external noise -connecting with your wisdom, your team, and the present moment.
ABOUT MELISSA:
Melissa Thomson is a Leadership & Transformation Coach, Speaker and Wellbeing Facilitator with over 22 years of experience helping individuals and organisations create meaningful, lasting transformation. Her career began in the wellbeing industry, where she honed her ability to support people in achieving alignment, authentic expression, and empowered self-leadership. Ten years ago, Melissa expanded her impact by founding and leading a thriving school - an experience that included governance, leadership and management - building community, driving legislative reform, leading cross-sector communication, and embodying the power of presence to influence change that was both strategic and deeply human. This period refined her expertise in navigating complexity, creating inclusive cultures, and leading with clarity in high-stakes environments.
Today, Melissa partners with leaders and organisations to cultivate courageous self-leadership, where inner coherence, authentic voice, and aligned action become the foundation for transformation. Her work emphasises the importance of rigorous self-development and presence - how a leader shows up, communicates, and connects - and how this presence shapes culture, inspires teams, and creates sustainable impact.
With a strong foundation in wellbeing, Melissa integrates practical tools for self-regulation, fortitude, and connection into her coaching and facilitation. She believes that leadership today is less about authority and more about the ability to influence with integrity, listen beyond data and noise, and create the space where creativity and collaboration can thrive.
Through her workshops, development programs, and coaching, Melissa helps leaders balance courage with compassion, communicate assertively with empathy, and lead with purpose. Her approach empowers values-led leaders to navigate complexity with confidence, shape cultures that flourish, and create impact that lasts far beyond their role.
EVENT SPONSOR - CHRISTENSEN HARBISON OPTOMETRISTS
Lucky Door Prize to be won!
Dress Theme : International Women's Day - PURPLE
Time 6:30am – 8:00am - H20 Restaurant & Bar
BUFFET BREAKFAST
Bacon, Poached & Scrambled Eggs, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Panini & GF Bread
Dietary requirements can be catered for. Please advise at time of registration
Self-serve juice & tea/coffee station
Barista Coffee can be purchased at Cruz N Brew Coffee Van out front
Registrations close at 10pm MONDAY 23rd FEB 2025
Please note: NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED