Melissa Segal, LCSW, is an experienced facilitator and manager with strong skills in leadership development, strategic planning, program implementation, and organizational culture. As a licensed clinical social worker committed to creating workplaces designed for success for all, her work fully integrates principles of open communication, respectful dialogue, restorative practices, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She facilitates professional development, coaches leaders and managers, implements culture and well-being programs, and works with teams to improve communication and group dynamics and thus increase productivity and group functioning.
Melissa has launched and managed a number of successful programs and organizations. At Duke Health, she co-led a culture change initiative, built an enterprise-wide peer support program, and integrated restorative justice work. Previously, she co-founded and co-organized a yearly inclusion and power dynamics series, an organization-wide DEI Leadership Council, and “Community Conversations,” an ongoing discussion series designed to foster a positive and inclusive work environment. Melissa also co-founded and then served as president of two national professional associations, helped launch a new academic initiative and a masters program, and assembled a national group of health care restorative justice practitioners.
Education
Duke University, Bachelor of Arts
University of Pennsylvania, Master of Social Work
Experience
Over 25 years providing professional development and training for staff, faculty, trainees, and volunteers
Over 25 years supervising professional staff and managing administrative functions
Over 15 years working in community non-profits
Over 11 years working in academia with faculty, staff, students and postdocs
Background
As an army brat, Melissa quickly learned how to join new groups and create welcoming spaces for all. Her early experiences led her to launch a career in social work, during which she focused on women’s health, family systems, and interpersonal relationships. Since then, she has led teams in a variety of settings, establishing new programs, creating and implementing strategic plans, managing daily operations and human resources, and facilitating trainings. Among other roles, she has served as Executive Director of a non-profit, Senior Business Manager of Duke Neurobiology, and Senior Director of Culture & Well-being for Duke Health.
Testimonial from Molly Starback, Director, Duke Office of Postdoctoral Services
Testimonials
Melissa Segal is one of Duke’s most highly rated speakers, as demonstrated by her perennially outstanding evaluations. Workshop attendees praise her warmth, empathy, knowledge, and respect for different cultures, viewpoints and lived experiences. It’s evident how much thought and preparation go into her workshops, which are tailored for each audience. She is a compassionate listener who creates a safe and supportive environment, even via Zoom, so that attendees are able to open up and share their concerns. From an administrator’s perspective, she is also a joy to work with: she is open to implementing ideas and suggestions, she is easygoing when things go awry (as they often seemed to do during COVID); and she brings the highest standard of professionalism to her work. Most importantly, Melissa does this work because she believes in fostering positive change in people’s lives. Her sincerity and commitment are reflected in everything she does. I feel very fortunate to work with Melissa.
– Molly Starback, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Services
Kathryn Dickerson
Testimonials
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Melissa is a phenomenal speaker and facilitator. She has a natural talent for reading the room, making people feel comfortable and safe, and digging into difficult topics, all in a way that facilitates meaningful conversations and personal growth. Reviews for her sessions are universally positive. Attendees repeatedly comment on her ability to create space for deep growth and change. We have had strong demand for continued sessions with her. Melissa is extremely easy to work with; she is professional, prompt, and gracious. I can’t recommend her enough!
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– Kathryn Dickerson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Stephanie Robertson
Testimonials
Melissa spent time with me and a colleague planning for the [circle] conversations and developing prompts we thought would work best for our students. She was kind and understanding throughout the whole process. I knew this conversation would require an expert who could provide a structured space and lead participants along a journey together, and Melissa quickly demonstrated that she definitely was that expert. During the circle, she made all of us feel comfortable and open to being vulnerable. She created a no-judgement zone in which we could all discuss our views about a divisive topic that had polarized the country. We all came out of that circle with a deeper understanding of who the other participants were, what they valued most, and how their values and experiences shaped the choices they make every day. I call Melissa my “circle hero” because she’s shown me that a well-done circle crafted by someone who is passionate about helping others can help build community and connect us to each other. In this day and age, that is definitely a superhero power!
– Stephanie Robertson, Assistant Dean, Community Engagement & Inclusion, Fuqua School Of Business
Kathryn Dickerson
Testimonials
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Melissa has been a true partner to our team as we dedicate more time and effort to leadership development. She has provided one-on-one coaching to a number of members of our leadership team, which has had an immediate and direct impact on the daily interactions in our department. We now have managers asking when they will be able to work with Melissa since their colleagues have demonstrated so much growth. We are fortunate to have Melissa’s coaching expertise as a component of our leadership development initiatives, and we couldn’t have made this much progress without her partnership.
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– Ilene Farkas, Director of Human Resources, Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, Duke University Medical Center
