Melissa Palleschi

In this Women in Leadership series, we speak to Melissa Palleschi, Sales Director at Hubbub Labs, an education-focused marketing agency based in Spain. 

An award-winning business development leader with a passion for strategy, innovation and building meaningful partnerships, Melissa has built her career at the intersection of international education, media and marketing.

Originally from New York, she now lives in Bristol with her two boys after nearly 12 years in London. Prior to joining Hubbub Labs, she served as Head of Partnerships and Marketing at The PIE. In this chat, she reflects on what it really feels like to step into senior roles, navigating leadership, challenging stereotypes, building trust-based teams and being intentional about who gets heard in the room

What do you love most about what you do now
Honestly, the team. Hubbub Labs is full of clever, creative people who genuinely love what they do. The culture is uplifting in the truest sense. Everyone champions each other and it makes such a difference. I feel like I am constantly growing here. I am discovering so much about how to build marketing campaigns that feel genuinely impactful, creative and authentic. It is such a joyful environment to be part of.

How has your leadership style evolved over time
With time I have realised that good leadership is far more about listening than talking. Giving people space to be heard changes everything. And if you know me you know that learning to talk less was its own challenge haha. But it has made me more patient, more curious and a better leader.

Was there a defining moment that shaped your approach to leadership
Winning the Lead5050 Outstanding Departmental Manager of the Year 2023 award when I was Head of Partnerships at The PIE was a real moment for me. My team nominated me which made it incredibly meaningful. Managing people is full of highs and lows. You are all aiming for the same outcomes but everyone works differently so you learn quickly how to stay open, flexible and human. That experience shaped my approach in a big way.

Was there a moment that broke your confidence
Working in business development comes with plenty of moments that can throw you off your stride. Slow periods happen and hitting a wall can knock your confidence. What I have learned is that stepping back, reassessing your strategy and jumping on a call with your team can do wonders. A quick realign can bring the spark back faster than you expect.

Who is your role model and or leadership mentor?
Dr Maureen Manning has been a huge inspiration for me. She is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Maureen Manning and Associates The Global Nexus Collective and I first worked with her during my time at The PIE. Now she collaborates with us at Hubbub Labs too. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious and she somehow balances it all while being an incredible mum. She amazes me every week.

What mistake or failure still stays with you?
I once spent an embarrassing amount of time perfecting a big proposal only to discover on the call that they had not even opened it. A classic business development rite of passage but this one still stings every time I think about it haha.

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome and if so how have you learned to manage it?
So many times. I do not think anyone escapes it entirely. What helps me is reminding myself that I have done hard things before and made it through. That feeling always passes and experience does count for something.

From your perspective what are some of the biggest challenges facing women working towards and in leadership positions today?
The constant juggle of life stages and responsibilities. Careers do not pause for things like fertility treatment, early parenthood, menopause or caring roles. HeyFlow.co.uk has been doing brilliant work highlighting this. The more workplaces understand and build around these realities the easier it becomes for women to step into leadership without feeling they have to choose between life and ambition.

Why do you think networks are so important for women?
Connection and community matter. It is easy to feel isolated in leadership especially when you are navigating personal challenges alongside professional ones. Networks remind us that we are not alone. Being seen and understood by peers makes such a difference.

Outside of work and off emails how do you like to spend your time?
With my boys whenever I can. We love long walks and exploring. I also try to sneak in live music when the stars align and if you get me near a dance floor I am in my happiest place.

What strategies work well to promote inclusion in the workplace?
Something I took from Radical Candor by Kim Scott is that inclusion is built through everyday behaviour rather than big gestures. Trust is the foundation of every inclusive team. Without trust people do not feel safe to contribute or take risks. When you create an environment where people feel genuinely supported they relax into being themselves. Bringing your whole self to work should feel normal not brave. When people feel safe to show up as who they are the entire team benefits.

Have you ever felt that success at work came at too high a personal cost?
I think many people in international education feel this at some point. The travel, the time zones and the global pace can be exhausting. There are seasons where it feels like you are always on. I have learned to be more aware of my limits and to be honest with myself when the balance starts tipping.

As a leader how do you stay mindful of who is at the table and who is missing?
Lead5050 talks a lot about intentional inclusion and that really resonates with me. I try to actively notice whose voices are being heard and whose are not. It is about making space for different experiences and being deliberate about whose perspectives we bring into the room. Diversity does not happen by accident.

Can you share an important lesson that has stayed with you throughout your career?
Stay curious and stay kind. Curiosity keeps you learning. Kindness keeps you grounded even in the most unpredictable seasons.

What are some stereotypes or biases you have experienced?
As a white cisgender woman from America I know I carry a lot of privilege. I have not faced the barriers that many others do and I try to be conscious of that when I am supporting colleagues and partners. It is a reminder to stay open, stay curious and to use whatever influence I have to amplify voices that are too often overlooked.

What is on your must read or must listen list at the moment?
As a boy mum I have been loving the To Be A Boy podcast from Joeli Brearley and Elliott Rae. I am also reading Richard Reeves book Of Boys and Men. The Guardian described it as a thoughtful look at the challenges boys and men are facing today and I have found it incredibly eye opening.