Monday, March 23, 9:30 am – 10:45 am

Help Them Thrive® for Gifted Education Leaders: Human-centered Leadership
Melissa Majors

District and campus leaders in gifted education are carrying a unique kind of pressure: shifting expectations, staffing cuts, changing funding realities, and the constant responsibility of advocating for students while protecting the humans doing the work.

In this interactive, story-driven session, Melissa Majors blends behavioral science, practical leadership coaching, and “We’ve been there” humor to help leaders stay steady, think clearly, and choose to thrive despite the obstacles.

Grounded in insights from Melissa’s acclaimed book Help Them Thrive®, participants learn brain-friendly, field-tested strategies to strengthen trust, reduce friction, and build a culture where people can do meaningful work without burning out. 

Participants will learn how to:

• Lead through uncertainty without leaking stress into the culture (and what to do when your brain is in threat mode)
• Deliver tough messages with clarity and care, so people feel respected, even when they feel disappointed
• Turn conflict into connection (and sometimes even innovation) instead of letting tension simmer
• Use brain-based feedback techniques that land with accountability and humanity
• Build psychological safety and trust at the table, so leaders stop feeling alone and teams stop feeling brittle
• Protect their own well-being while continuing to advocate, influence, and lead with integrity

About Melissa Majors

Melissa Majors is a captivating storyteller who brilliantly enlightens with talks that spark inspiration, insight, smiles, and wisdom that empower all to thrive.

She is a leading advisor, coach, and advocate for human-centered leadership. Her expertise is curated from leading thriving teams across various industries, including investments, insurance, ed-tech, associations, and business consulting. Her practical experience is enhanced by her formal education, which she gained by studying strategy and innovation at Harvard University.

Melissa authored two books — Help Them Thrive: Leadership Coaching for Humans Leading Humans and The 7 Simple Habits of Inclusive Leaders.

Melissa is featured in publications such as Forbes Magazine and is loved by audiences at Google, the National Association of Realtors, 7-Eleven, RTX (formerly Raytheon), Catalyst, Lantheus, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and many more. She is endearing, authentic, and fun!

Prepare to be glued to Melissa when she takes the stage. You’ll be immersed in an endearing and authentic experience filled with mesmerizing stories that blend psychology, neuroscience, common sense, and wisdom that will inspire and prepare you to thrive.