MFR Coaching & Consulting LLC

01/19/2026

Today we quote Dr. King.

But too often we quote the comfortable parts.

In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, Dr. King was explicit about what most impeded justice. It is not the extremists alone, but white moderates who preferred “order” over justice, who urged patience, who believed the timing of freedom could be negotiated.

Right now, ICE is terrorizing communities across this country, including our workplaces. And it is convenient to act as if this is “politics” and therefore somehow separate from work.

It isn’t.

Approximately 70% of the U.S. workforce is white. Approximately 96% of Fortune 500 CEOs are white. The silence is deafening at work.

There is no clean line between “work” and “politics” when our coworkers or
the people who cook our food, deliver our packages, prepare our taxes, care for our children, and develop our software
are being detained, disappeared, and separated from their families by government action.

Silence is not neutrality. “Waiting for a better time” is not leadership.

Celebrating Dr. King while ignoring the truths he insisted we confront is not honoring his legacy.

The question, especially for those of us with power, positional authority, and safety, is not whether this belongs at work.

The question is: What are we willing to risk to live the values we honor in MLK today?

07/06/2025

FIVE YEARS! What can you say about five years? You can start with a thank you. What gratitude for the coaches, consultants, and clients that learn and grow together at MFR Coaching & Consulting LLC. Together we have commited to build organizational cultures that honor the worth and value of every person and empowered people to achieve values driven goals.

Let's keep going - we have lots of work to do!

04/28/2025

What a week last week for MFR Coaching and Consulting! Seven workshops in four days with almost 250 total participants and three supercharged facilitators. Thank you for learning and growing together with us!

03/12/2025

𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗲
At MFRCC, we refuse to accept "that is just how it is" – especially when it comes to your team's development.

While we've built a foundation of 14 programs and workshops, we see these as a starting point, not rigid blueprints. We customize every learning experience to address your organization's unique challenges and amplify its distinctive strengths.

What makes our approach different? We meet participants where they are – adjusting content in real-time to dive deeper where needed and building momentum in areas where your team already excels.

Our frameworks provide structure, but our people-first philosophy means we prioritize authentic connection over checking boxes. We create brave spaces where transformation can take root, tailored specifically to your organization's journey.

Because exceptional results emerge when we honor the humanity of your people that means seeing and responding to what's actually in the room, not just following a script.

Ready for development that's as unique as your organization? Let's talk. Email us at [email protected].

01/07/2025

Exciting new opportunity with MFR Coaching & Consulting LLC's CEO, Melanie Ryan:

"'You're so authentic.”

It's a comment I hear often, usually followed by 'How can I do that as a leader?'

Authenticity isn't just a leadership style - it's the foundation for creating lasting impact. I've learned that two things can be true: We can achieve exceptional business outcomes and honor the worth of every person. We achieve both when we lead authentically and create spaces for others to do the same.

This truth has guided me through years of executive leadership in the private sector and continues to drive transformational impact through MFR Coaching & Consulting (MFRCC). The power of authentic leadership conversations keeps calling me to expand.

Today, I'm opening a new chapter: MFR One To One. While I continue my work as MFRCC’s CEO to drive organizational transformation, I'm creating space for a select few leaders to engage in focused, individual development work outside organizational programs.

I’m curious. What's your experience with authenticity in leadership? When have you felt most genuine as a leader?

-Melanie

P.S. See link in comments to learn more.

10/31/2024

CELEBRATE YOUR WINS!

Taking a moment to celebrate our accomplishments is just as crucial as focusing on areas for improvement. Today, I marked two wins with these delightful sticky notes from Twentysome Design, a fantastic woman-owned business that offers a range of fun products.

Not only did I gain new clients, but Twentysome Design did too - ME!

It’s a win-win kind of day!

10/23/2024

Today, the Department of Transportation announced groundbreaking measures to tackle accessibility issues for people with disabilities, demonstrating what a commitment to systemic solutions looks like.

Secretary Buttigieg said, “by setting penalties at levels beyond the mere cost of doing business for airlines, we're aiming to change how the industry behaves and prevent these kinds of abuses from happening in the first place.”

This is DEI.

07/21/2024

Today’s announcement by President Joe Biden to step down as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee is a case study in leadership. Great leaders understand the importance of knowing when to step back and when to push forward. Sometimes, our strengths and skills are best suited for a particular moment, and true leadership is centered in empowering others when that moment passes.

Reflecting on President Biden's decision prompts us to consider our own leadership roles. What does the current moment require from us? It is crucial to recognize when to let go and empower others for the benefit of those we lead and the organizations we serve.

07/07/2024

One of the great joys in doing this work is elevating the work of others.

Children’s Author Bonita Lee (Go On Lil' Sista Go On) is once again making an impact with her latest venture Noir Preneurship.

Noir Preneurship’s mission is to provide a vehicle for Black entrepreneurs and business professionals to connect, build a strong economic base within the group leading to increased profits while turning the Black dollar over multiple times in our community before it leaves, in turn building generational wealth.

Noir Preneurship has an opportunity to receive matching grant funds from Pierce County’s (WA) Business Accelerator Program.

I invite you to be part of Noir Preneurship’s success and donate today!

We have an exciting opportunity to receive a matching grant from the Pierce Co… Bonita Lee needs your support for Double Your Impact: Support Noir Preneurship

06/28/2024

I'm not overly interested in engaging in much discussion on Tractor Supply's press release. Companies who make commitments to the worth and value of people and then retreat in fear when pressured or they see a hit to the bottom line are a dime a dozen.

What I AM interested in is talking about the companies and leaders getting it right. I work with companies every day who priortize people over profits and who refuse to let trends change their values.

For example, last week I worked with Katie Mehnert and ALLY Energy. Katie started as Pink Petro on international women's day in 2015 with a vision to create a more gender balanced workforce in the Energy industry. The company has leaned into the DEI conversation ever since. In 2020 they rebranded to ALLY energy and just last week I faciliated a roundtable where DEI remains a pivotal intersection in how they are thinking about the future of work. With a fierce passion for the future of our climate, ALLY remains undeterred by what doesn't matter and stays focused on what does - our people and planet.

Who do YOU know that's getting it right? Let's celebrate these leaders and companies.

- Melanie

06/21/2024

Yesterday, CEO Melanie Ryan had the opportunity to facilitate ALLY Energy’s Energy, AI, Talent, and Culture Roundtable.

We worked with over 40 thought leaders in the energy industry to think through how to disrupt and forge a new path for people and companies to do great work.

ALLY has spent a decade carefully curating a trusted community and is leveraging that legacy to build new AI- based technology to collectively create the new future in energy.

Thank you, Katie Mehnert, for inviting me to work with you and ALLY. I am thrilled to say “I was there!”

Also, thank you to Dr. Mikki Hebl for your keynote speech. I highly encourage everyone to pick up a copy of her new book with Eden King: “Working Together: Practicing the Science of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”

05/29/2024

Congratulations to MFRCC CEO, Melanie Ryan, for her 2024 graduation from Leadership Snohomish County - THE GREATEST CLASS EVER!