Leanne Meyer directs the Carnegie Mellon Women’s Executive Leadership Academy and is the former executive director of the university’s Accelerate Leadership Center at the Tepper School of Business. She is the author of the bestselling Climbing the Spiral Staircase, a critical guide empowering women with the tools they need to accelerate their careers and gain control of their professional paths.

Leanne Meyer’s Speech Topics:

The Power of Three – Why you need a network trifecta and how to build it

Decades of research on organizational networks have shown that who you know—and who knows you—is critical to performance and career success.

The ability to develop and maintain a strong network of internal and external relationships is a key factor distinguishing leaders with consistently outstanding performance records from those who languish in the middle.

Why? Because people in positive relationships are more likely to share invaluable information, recommend each other for career opportunities, vouch for each other, make introductions, and provide professional advice and support. Successful leaders leverage these relationships in support of their organization’s mission.

They also rely on their network for personal and professional development.

These distinct purposes require you to build three related but different networks:

-Operational Network – those involved in your group’s daily work

-Strategic Network – those who can help you prepare for the future

-Developmental Network – relationships that can help you grow professionally and provide personal, and emotional support when needed

Too often, senior leaders neglect to cultivate these essential networks—whether due to discomfort with workplace politics or the mistaken belief that networking is inauthentic or self-serving. But this avoidance can be career-limiting and organizationally damaging. Avoiding the creation of influential networks is a form of self-sabotage that also risks stalling the future success of your organization and your culture initiatives.

In this transformative session, we will focus on practical tools and strategies to break the myths around networking and see it for what it truly is: a leadership competency and culture-building tool. Participants will walk away empowered with a clear plan for turning their networks into one of their most powerful leadership assets—one that fuels both personal and organizational success.

Strong leaders have clear stories.

They know where they’ve been, who they are, and what they envision for the future. Whether aspiring to thought, community, or corporate leadership, this clarity is essential for anyone looking to lead with influence and impact.

However, many professionals fall into the trap of striving for “perfection” across multiple roles—leader, partner, friend, executive—causing them to overlook their true potential. Instead of embracing their unique power and perspective, they may question their worth, dismiss their talents, and diminish their identity.

Key Takeaways:

-Discover your personal strengths and how they drive your career growth.

-Identify the barriers and fears holding you back from achieving your aspirations.

-Develop a leadership brand statement that aligns with your professional goals and contributions.

-Create an actionable plan to turn your vision into reality.

Video:

Bio:

With over 30 years of executive development and consulting experience with Fortune 100 companies, Leanne Meyer specializes in inspiring workplace transformation by equipping leaders with the skills and insights to grow personally while creating impact at an enterprise level. Her evidence-based approach empowers leaders to navigate critical career transitions, enhance their influence and drive meaningful change across their organizations —ultimately strengthening both leadership effectiveness and business outcomes.

Empowering Leaders Across the Globe

A passionate advocate for leadership development, Leanne helps individuals recognize their potential, embrace their values, and confidently step into roles that maximize their strengths and influence. Her work has spanned four continents, impacting corporate, academic, and non-profit sectors as a coach, speaker, educator, and facilitator.

Leanne’s journey began in South Africa, where she earned her master’s degree in Industrial Psychology from the University of Johannesburg. This global perspective continues to shape her work, helping leaders navigate complex business environments across diverse industries and cultural landscapes.

Educating Our Next Generation of Leaders

Leanne is an Adjunct Faculty Member and Faculty Director at Carnegie Mellon University, where she teaches in the Master’s in Medical Management program at the Heinz College and leads executive education programs for senior leaders, including CIOs, CTOs, and other top executives. She is also the Faculty Director of the Carnegie Mellon Women’s Executive Leadership Academy. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of the Accelerate Leadership Center at the Tepper School of Business.

Uplifting Women and Guiding Allies

Leanne is the author of the bestselling book Climbing the Spiral Staircase, which equips women with the tools they need to accelerate their careers and take charge of their professional paths. The book also offers valuable insights for all professionals, guiding them to become effective allies and advocates for more inclusive workplaces.

In 2023, she delivered a TEDx talk at TEDx Pittsburgh, where she explored the intersection of leadership, career growth, and personal transformation. She is a sought-after keynote speaker, panel moderator, and media contributor, frequently engaging in conversations that amplify leadership development, resilience, and inclusive workplace strategies.

Thought Leadership, Board Membership & Mentorship

Leanne is a board member of Fe League, an organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in leadership by fostering connections, mentorship, and professional growth opportunities. She actively contributes to leadership podcasts, industry publications, and executive roundtables, sharing her expertise on navigating career transitions, developing influence, and driving organizational change.

She is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of leaders and supports leadership development programs that help professionals navigate their careers with confidence and purpose.