In this inaugural episode of ‘The Lift’, I meet with well-renowned Mel Trombley, Director of Leadership Programs for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. I’ve heard so much about Mel in the two-years since she’s joined the chamber so it was an absolute pleasure to talk with her one-on-one for the very first time.

As someone who also is also very familiar to in-person connection and networking pre-pandemic, we discuss how the community experience has changed, how resources are being allocated differently, and how us “people persons” are getting on without the socialization we crave. A former educator, I learned that Mel is uniquely qualified encourage the most growth of Grand Rapids leaders in the programs she runs, including ATHENA, an affinity group dedicated to the professional development of women leaders. We talk about personal traits in those that we admire and finally, I ask the ultimate question to reflect on – who is she lifting up and who is lifting her up day after day?

Enjoy!