Gender-Diverse Leadership Teams are 25% More Likely to Outperform Financially

Unlock HER Potential: imagine a team that anticipates YOUR needs and understands YOUR vision

Do you have a high-potential female leader who needs focused development?

Is your busy schedule hindering the mentorship they need?

Is it time to turn these leaders into your company’s driving force?

If you answered yes, now is the time to act.

"Before working with Melissa at the Grace & Salt Leadership Academy, I struggled with communicating effectively with senior leadership. Since then, I’ve been able to manage up more efficiently and tailor my approach to address what matters most to each individual."

– Katie Klaus, Broaster

Why She'll Love It:

  • A safe, confidential space with like-minded professional women

  • CEO-level coaching and insights

  • Employer investment to use work hours for development

  • Insights to build better relationships

  • Introspective Program

Why You'll Love It:

  • Stronger Leadership Pipeline: Gain capable leaders who can take on more responsibilities, reducing your workload and allowing you to focus on higher-level strategic goals.

  • Improved Team Collaboration: Your team will communicate more effectively, leading to smoother operations and fewer conflicts, saving you time on managing interpersonal issues.

  • Increased Innovation: Your team’s fresh ideas and solutions will drive innovation, helping you meet targets and enhance your department’s performance.

  • Higher Engagement: Investing in their growth increases loyalty and reduces turnover, minimizing the time and effort you spend on recruitment and training.

  • Positive Culture Impact: Your team will model integrity and inclusivity, making it easier to maintain a positive and productive work environment, which in turn reduces the time you spend on managing culture-related challenges.

What is the Esther Project?

The Esther Project is the cornerstone of the Grace & Salt Leadership Academy's digital online group coaching program for women leaders.


It is the foundational pillar of the Grace & Salt Leadership Academy, designed for women seeking to enhance their executive presence and make a greater impact. Whether they're looking to step out of their comfort zone or refine their approach to avoid coming across as aggressive, this program empowers them to command the room with authenticity and authority.


Why Esther Project? The name draws inspiration from Esther, the Queen of Persia (circa 478 BC), who courageously approached the King without permission to save the Jewish people. In my book, Grace & Salt, I dedicate a chapter to Esther's leadership lessons. One of these lessons is her willingness to listen to her uncle, Mordechai, who famously said, "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" He understood that Esther's role as Queen was pivotal in saving her people, even if it meant risking her life by approaching the King without permission. If you’re really interested in my “why” behind the name, check out this video here.


While speaking up in today's workplace may not carry the same life-or-death consequences, applying Esther's example to step out and speak up can profoundly impact our future careers and those of others.
If you have a female team member (or if you're the team member) who struggles to communicate, battles imposter syndrome, lacks confidence, or is perceived as overbearing and aggressive in her communication style, the Esther Project can help, click below to schedule a FREE strategy call to see if this program fits.

Invite your female team member to join our strategy call – let’s make an impact together! (And let’s face it, helping her actually helps you…should I have said that out loud?)

Program Details

  • 12-week program

  • Self-paced video modules: 7+ modules with over 40 videos – Value $5,500

  • Confidential GSLA community online portal that promotes a safe environment to share & meet like-minded women – Value $1,499

  • Weekly 60-minute virtual leadership development sessions that include leadership development topic, role-playing and group coaching opportunities – Value $3,900

  • Private one-on-one coaching sessions with Melissa – Value $1,300

  • Handouts, interactive exercises – Value $500

  • 20 page in depth DiSC Assessment – Value $90

  • FREE copy of Grace & Salt book – Value $21.95

Total Value: $12,810 and the price is $1497.

"Before working with Melissa at the Grace & Salt Leadership Academy, I struggled with balancing assertiveness and empathy in my leadership style.

The Grace & Salt Communication Method has been a game-changer, helping me navigate difficult conversations gracefully and confidently.

If you're considering attending one of Melissa's workshops, don't hesitate. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills and make a lasting impact."

– Sophia Thompson, Barrett Trade & Finance Group

So, what’s the Esther Project all about?

Introducing the Modules!

Start Here: Embark on Your Journey of Transformation

Key takeaways from the START HERE module include:

  • An introduction to the Grace & Salt Leadership Academy and its offerings.

  • Preparation strategies for success in the program.

  • Techniques for staying fully present and prioritizing "me" time to maximize the benefits of the experience.

Mindset Mastery: Set Your Goals & Expectations for Success

Key takeaways from Module 1 include:

  • Understanding the importance of mindset, expectations, and goal setting in achieving success.

  • Recognizing that success rates improve when clear goals are set and expectations are well-defined.

  • Taking the time to thoroughly engage with the module to absorb the content and effectively set meaningful goals for the future.

Discover Your Leadership Style: Unleash Your Unique Strengths

Key takeaways from Module 2 include:

  • Gaining a deeper understanding of your unique leadership style through self-discovery.

  • Exploring various leadership types and the benefits each brings.

  • Recognizing what makes women leaders distinct and identifying the challenges they encounter in both personal and professional spheres.

Grace & Salt Communication: The Secret to Natural Leadership

Key takeaways from Module 3 include:

  • Understanding the core concept of Grace & Salt communication, and distinguishing what it is and what it is not.

  • Identifying your natural communication style and how it influences your leadership.

  • Learning when to apply more "Grace" or more "Salt" in your communication to enhance effectiveness.

  • Beginning the journey of building confidence through self-assessment and tailored communication strategies.

Confident Negotiation: Master Your Grace & Salt Approach

Key takeaways from Module 4 include:

  • Exploring different types of negotiation and discovering your personal negotiation style.

  • Building confidence in negotiation through practice and self-discovery.

  • Learning the PREP system for effective negotiation.

  • Shifting your mindset to negotiate effortlessly.

  • Managing emotions during negotiations and addressing imposter syndrome.

FLEX 'N FIT: Tools for Effective Communication & Negotiation

Key takeaways from Module 5 include:

  • Mastering the FLEX ‘N FIT method, a straightforward approach to effective communication and negotiation.

  • Understanding how this method ties together the principles of Grace & Salt Leadership.

  • Utilizing the provided tools to determine the appropriate strategies for different scenarios—download and keep these resources accessible for ongoing use.

Saying No Gracefully: Setting Boundaries Without Guilt

Key takeaways from Module 6 include:

  • Learning how to say no with grace and without guilt, even in challenging situations.

  • Developing strategies to maintain your boundaries while still supporting others, regardless of their position within the company.

  • Gaining confidence in saying no, particularly when dealing with your boss or senior colleagues, to help you meet your own goals without compromising on professionalism or relationships.

BONUS: Video Vault

This module serves as a video vault which offers exclusive bonus videos. This feature is designed to provide users with additional valuable content that complements the primary material, enhancing their learning experience and engagement.

"I will admit I was skeptic at first. Being the newest member of our team I didn't feel I warranted an opinion. Melissa made me realize I was way off. I AM a valuable team member. I will use this the rest of my life."

– Heather Danger, BDE Tax

Meet Melissa

Founder, Grace & Salt Leadership Academy

I’ve spent the past thirty years navigating corporate America and learning how to communicate and negotiate up and around an organization. I’ve been held back from fear of speaking up and trying to balance my family and career. I was fortunate to crash through the glass ceiling with help from mentors and sponsors.

It took me over twenty-five years to reach the boardroom and to become a member of the leadership team. My goal is to help you crash through the glass ceiling and fix the ‘broken rung’ of the corporate ladder in much less time.

I’ve helped female leaders from entry-level to executives navigate the workplace from small businesses to large multi-national corporations.

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