management development that fits and fuels your business

Are you fighting an uphill battle trying to equip your managers with the skills they need—while juggling limited time, staff, and resources?

If you’re seeing weak feedback, inconsistent accountability, or top talent walking out the door, you’re not alone.

Most small and midsize businesses face the same challenge: they want stronger managers, but the usual solutions just don’t work. You don’t have the budget to hire in-house learning experts. Custom programs are out of reach. And off-the-shelf training? It doesn’t fit, it doesn’t resonate—and it definitely doesn’t stick.

That’s where I come in.

WHEN YOU NEED MORE THAN A PROGRAM—

You need a partner.

I partner with small and midsize businesses who want managers to truly engage employees, foster accountability, and drive better results. Acting as an extension of your HR team, I deliver leadership development that is:

Strategic & Aligned:

Tailored to your business priorities, culture, and budget.

Personalized & Practical:

Designed for your managers with practical skills they can apply right away.

Effective & Sustainable:

Built for continuous learning that drives lasting change.

No wasted time. No generic workshops. No one-size-fits-all anything.

Just targeted, actionable support that helps your managers grow—and your business thrive.

what makes me different

Not Just Training. Transformation.

Lasting change takes more than a single event. That’s why my programs unfold over time—with built-in support that helps managers apply what they learn, tackle real challenges, and turn new behaviors into lasting habits. Drawing on award-winning expertise, I design targeted management development programs that fit your goals, culture, and budget.

The result? Learning that sticks, behavior that shifts, and managers who fuel lasting success.

If you’re looking for leadership development that’s right-sized, real-world, and as invested in your success as you are—you’ve found it.

Ready to drive better results through stronger leadership?
Let’s build a solution that works for your business.

let's connect

"A leading expert in new manager development." - Forbes

Success Stories

Melissa took the time to understand our company's needs and the challenge we faced, bringing key voices to the table and asking the tough questions. She led the team in the development and rollout of a comprehensive leadership philosophy that fostered ownership and accountability, while equipping us with clear, actionable practices to empower leaders. I am grateful for her expertise in achieving the final outcome and the support she provided throughout the entire process.”
- Lisa O’Masta, President
“As a new manager, I set out to build a high performing virtual team but found that traditional methods of leadership were undermining my effectiveness. Melissa taught me how to engage and empower my team and the results have been astounding.”
- Jonelle Callender, Marketing Director, Global Channel Marketing
“Melissa Janis is the real deal. She doesn’t just talk about theory - she makes it real, practical, and immediately useful. She understood my challenges and helped me build the skills to diagnose issues, drive change, and make a real impact. Melissa has a way of explaining complex ideas so they actually stick, and she makes learning engaging and energizing. If you want someone who gets it, who truly partners with you, and who will help you lead more effectively, Melissa is the person you want in your corner.”
- Andrew Tronick, Owner
“Melissa was instrumental in helping me transition into a new role successfully and achieve more as a leader. Highly recommend!”
- Ann Weiss, Regional Sales Manager
“Melissa worked closely with our financial team to build the skills needed to become strong leaders. Her training enables new managers to bring out the unique strengths in themselves and in their teams. She instilled confidence in us to provide meaningful feedback to each other and to rethink how we approach our important conversations, bringing out the very best in all of us. Melissa's expertise has helped develop our managers into the business leaders we require to drive the company into the future.”
- Frank Recchia, Chief Financial Officer
“Having clarity on what to do and how to do it has enabled me to be more productive with better work/life balance.”
- Emeka Okekeocha, Program Director
“I got up to speed quickly in an entirely new leadership role, thanks to Melissa. She helped me create a plan for successful entry into the new role and provided ongoing coaching, guidance, and feedback, which gave me confidence and set me up for success. I could not have imagined a better partner than Melissa to help me through this critical time in my career.”
- Terri Schiesl, VP, Product Development
“Melissa has positively influenced not only my approach to managing my team, but how I live my life. And I'm sure many others can say the same.”
- Tomasz Jezior, Vice President, Finance
“Melissa facilitated a Leadership Integration process that was tremendously helpful when I transitioned to a new leadership role. Her insights and knowledge significantly enhanced my ability to work with my team and peers. She was very thoughtful in helping me develop the strategies that enabled me to not only integrate but continue being successful throughout my tenure in the position. I highly recommend her.”
- Catherine Mathis, Chief Communications Officer
“First impressions don’t get a do-over. Working with Melissa allowed me to put my best foot forward in the ramp-up period for my new role. Her ability to offer specific, tangible application opportunities at the precise moment you are ready for them will allow you to do the same!”
- Kevin O’Hearn, Regional Sales Director