A special event with Melissa Gonzalez, author of The Purpose Pivot, and contributor Atoya Burleson, CEO of Ladies Playbook in a conversation about her compelling journey from crisis to clarity — blending vulnerability, intuition, and leadership.

Walk away with practical tools to reshape your priorities, heal from burnout, and step confidently into your next purpose-driven chapter.

Bring your curiosity and questions — this is your invitation to pivot toward a more empowered life where wellbeing sits alongside success.

About the author

Melissa Gonzalez is an award-winning strategist, experiential designer, and author whose work has helped shape how brands connect with people through purpose-driven design. A former Wall Street executive turned entrepreneur, she founded The Lionesque Group—acquired twice—and now serves as a Principal at MG2 and Shareholder at Colliers Engineering & Design.

A sought-after speaker, she has presented at SXSW, Shoptalk, Shoptalk Europe, Future Forward, World Retail Congress, NRF’s Retail’s Big Show, and Vogue Business Summit. Melissa is also the host of the Retail Refined podcast and has interviewed leaders from brands like Urban Outfitters, Pacsun, Toys “R” Us, LEGO, Madewell, and American Eagle. She’s been recognized as one of WWD’s 25 Most Influential Women Leaders and one of New York Business Journal’s Executives to Watch.

Her new book, The Purpose Pivot: How Dynamic Leaders Put Vulnerability & Intuition into Action, is a transformative guide for high achievers looking to align professional ambition with personal wellbeing, blending personal storytelling, expert interviews and insights, as well as practical and actionable tools.