Rebecca Malotke-Meslin: Developing and Retaining Women Leaders

Rebecca Malotke-Meslin is the Owner and Coach at Pleasantly Aggressive, an organization offering leadership consulting for women in schools and nonprofits by fostering inclusivity. As a leader in independent schools, Rebecca saw smart, capable women doubting themselves, getting frustrated, and burning out before reaching their personal and professional goals. She identified rampant imposter syndrome, a lack of leadership development programming, and outdated structures as key barriers holding women back from achieving their potential. Driven by a desire to make a difference, Rebecca now dedicates herself to empowering women to overcome these challenges and succeed. In addition to her work as a leadership coach and consultant, she is a keynote speaker, podcast host, and writer.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[1:48] Rebecca Malotke-Meslin explains why Pleasantly Aggressive represents an authentic leadership style
[3:21] Tips for creating a unique and memorable brand in leadership coaching
[5:40] The paradox of women in staff roles versus head roles
[7:10] Common challenges faced by women leaders in leadership roles
[9:43] Emotional barriers women face when delegating tasks
[12:49] The power of negotiating and asking for what you need within nonprofits
[14:00] Understanding the balance between organizational and personal growth
[16:09] Effective strategies for savvy nonprofit decisions
[22:17] Finding clarity in leadership and unlocking potential beyond titles

In this episode…

Women in leadership often face complex challenges and barriers that hinder their confidence and effectiveness. How can understanding and addressing these issues foster more confident, authentic, and unapologetic leadership?

A surprising paradox exists in many organizations: women are well-represented in staff roles but underrepresented in leadership positions. Leadership coach Rebecca Malotke-Meslin emphasizes that overcoming systemic barriers, like imposter syndrome and male-dominated environments, is essential for women to become stronger leaders. She offers solutions such as developing delegation and negotiation skills. By finding clarity in their leadership journey and focusing on their unique strengths, women can unlock their full potential and create lasting change within their organizations.

In this episode of the Mission Matters podcast, Paul Feith interviews Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, Owner and Coach at Pleasantly Aggressive, about empowering women to lead with confidence, authenticity, and conviction. Rebecca explores the common challenges women leaders encounter, the disparity between women in staff versus head roles, and strategies for gaining clarity in leadership to unleash potential beyond conventional titles.

Resources mentioned in this episode

Quotable Moments:

“If you see it, you can be it — seeing other women’s paths to leadership can inspire your own journey.”
“Delegation is not just a task — it’s an act of empathy and a strategic move for empowerment.”
“It’s not a job title; it’s a mindset. Anyone can be a leader if they’re open to growth and learning.”
“Asking for what you need isn’t selfish — it’s critical for organizational success and personal fulfillment.”
“Finding joy in the process of growth can lead to a lifelong pursuit of learning and leadership.”

Action Steps:

Embrace your authentic leadership style: Identify and lean into your unique leadership approach to lead with confidence and originality.
Develop delegation strategies: Assess your workload and determine tasks that can be delegated to others to improve efficiency and work-life balance.
Build negotiation skills: Practice negotiating by identifying what you need for success and creating a compelling argument to request resources.
Normalize seeking help: Challenge the hesitation to ask for help by shifting the focus from personal capacity to organizational advancement.
Recognize yourself as a leader: Embrace leadership opportunities and seek continual personal and professional development regardless of your title.

Sponsor for this episode…

Today’s episode is sponsored by Paul Gregory Media, an 18-year-old digital marketing agency in downtown Naperville, Illinois.

They are one of the few thousand Certified B Corporations worldwide, demonstrating PGM as a leader of a global movement to use business as a force for good, meeting high standards of accountability, transparency, and community involvement. They have been trusted by hundreds of organizations since 2006.

PGM is recognized as one of the top marketing agencies in the region, earning more awards than many of its competitors combined. They have the passion, commitment, and expertise to get it done.

To learn more about the services PGM offers or how they can support you with your marketing needs, visit www.paulgregorymedia.com or email them at [email protected].