Ep 17: Head & Heart of Leadership with Catherine Meloy, President and CEO, Good Will of Greater Washington

Leadership Insights Podcast

“If you're the smartest person in the room you're in the wrong room” - Catherine Meloy

Catherine Meloy firmly believes that if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room! She was a successful broadcasting executive when she got the call (literally) to serve as the fearless leader of Good Will. That call - along with her brilliance, commitment and passion - has helped transform countless lives in the greater Washington community and beyond. And in the debate of whether the heart or the head should prevail, Catherine uncompromisingly choses to lead with both!

In this inspiring interview Catherine shares wonderful stories of her parents instilling in her the values of discipline, love and faith. You’ll learn why she refuses to ever be the smartest person in the room and empowers her staff to help translate her lofty 5-year vision into reality. And the ways she strives to learn and grow as a leader, manager and businessperson despite being on top of her game (just read her incredible bio!)

I know you’ll find Catherine’s interview riveting and inspiring!

What you’ll learn:

• How growing up with a disciplinarian Marine dad and unconditionally loving mom shaped Catherine's identity
• Why Catherine considers discipline to be the number one attribute in business and the daily habits that help her maintain discipline and focus
• Catherine's approach to email and boundaries that help her and her team reset weekly
• How asking "What was really important a year ago?” or “What did I lose sleep over a month ago?" can help stay focused on a bigger picture perspective
• Fantastic story of why and how she made the leap from broadcasting to leading Good Will
• Why having a strong brand for any organization is so crucial
• Advice for mission-oriented leaders on learning important business skills and how to make the time for the learning and professional development
• How Catherine's spiritual faith informs her leadership style and even culture of Good Will
• How declaring your values and priorities as a leader creates greater accountability for yourself
• What Catherine considers to be her growing edges
• And so much more!

Links & Resources

• Good Will – Catherine’s incredible organization whose mission is to transform lives and communities through the power of education and employment.
• Greater Washington Board of Trade – networking and organization in the D.C. area Catherine recommends for their great educational programs. Having been a member I agree!
• Global Leadership Summit – “Fresh, actionable and inspiring leadership content” conference Catherine raved about
• Leadership Greater Washington – amazing D.C. area networking and educational organization Catherine and I are both love and support. PSA: LGW is accepting applications for the next signature program class due in early April 2017.

About Catherine Meloy

Catherine Meloy is the President and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Washington (Goodwill). Catherine Meloy serves as President and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Washington and the Goodwill Excel Center. She was selected in 2003 by the Goodwill Board of Trustees as a proven business leader who could dramatically extend the reach and vitality of the organization and enable it to serve an even broader segment of the disabled and disadvantaged community.

Prior to joining Goodwill of Greater Washington, Catherine had a successful 20 year management career in the radio industry.

With Catherine’s leadership, Goodwill has grown to over 800 associates; 15 retail stores; annual revenues of $42M, which include nine government janitorial contracts. In further serving and expanding the mission of Goodwill, the first adult diploma charter high school has been granted by the DC Public Charter School Board to Goodwill to open in the fall of 2016 under the title of the Goodwill Excel Center.

Catherine’s involvement in the greater Washington community includes:

• Board of Directors, Greater Washington Board of Trade
• Board of Directors, Federal City Council
• Board of Directors, DC Chamber of Commerce
• Board of Directors of MedStar Health
• Board of Directors of SourceAmerica
• Member of the DC Workforce Investment Council
• Member of the Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board
• In January 2016, Catherine was elected to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Catherine is a recipient of the Greater Washington Board of Trade’s “Leader of the Years Award“; was honored by Washingtonian Magazine as “Washingtonian of the Year“; was inducted into the American Marketing Association-DC Chapter Hall of Fame and was highlighted as a Most Admired CEO by Smart CEO Magazine for her successful organizational turnaround of Goodwill of Greater Washington.

She and her husband, David, who is President of Merit Hotels, live in Annapolis, Maryland and have three grown children.