Our team
Character, Collaboration, Commitment
Melissa Wintrow
Co-Owner/Lead Facilitator
Melissa Wintrow has worked in higher education for the past twenty-five years at six different universities in positions of leadership in living learning communities, housing and residence life, women’s center, advising, instruction, and curriculum design. She possesses extensive experience in supervision, leadership development, conflict resolution, and curriculum design. She is called upon regularly to facilitate workshops for a wide variety of departments including engineering, campus recreation, library, multicultural center, housing, student leadership, service learning, social work, and training and development. Melissa is passionate about teaching and learning and strives to create the best possible conditions for leaders to learn and grow. Her life story is a testament to the benefits of mentoring and grassroots involvement. She utilizes theory and best practice to create innovative curricula to enhance learning in educational, corporate, non-profit and governmental settings. Melissa has experience working in the following areas: leadership and staff development, organization development, human rights education, curriculum design, strategic planning, gender studies, event planning, supervision, conflict resolution, victim/survivor advocacy, assessment. Melissa also blends her passion for education with outdoor recreation. She is an Ironman Finisher (Ironman Arizona), avid backpacker, and completed a self-supported bicycle trip 4,200 miles across the U.S.
Here's the Story.
Vision and mission
The point is that successful organizations have many characters who are committed the vision, demonstrate character, and are able to collaborate even during conflict. We help organizations develop a SAGA they are proud to publicize.
Our strategy
Every organization has a SAGA just as every person has a life story. Those stories come together through our experiences working together. Successful organizations have SAGA’s deeply rooted in people of character, committed to a vision, and collaborating to get things done. Therefore we focus on three aspects of leadership.
Character in any SAGA refer to the roles one plays in work or community as well as the distinct set of attributes or features that distinguishes an individual or group. In organizational and leadership development, one’s character is often the bedrock for trusting relationships and ethical outcomes. The characters of the organization many times have colorful histories and diverse backgrounds – but all need to have something in common – stalwart internal guides that shape their internal character.
Commitment to a set of common values is essential aspect of a successful SAGA. We all are committed to something or someone. How well we follow through on our commitment to one another is often interpreted to be part of our character, and establishes the basis for our ability to collaboration with one another.
Collaboration is essential to a successful SAGA. The characters find resolutions, manage conflict, and accomplish their visions. Yes, collaboration involves conflict, compromise, and challenges. That’s the point! Collaborative environments are successful because people work those problems to find solutions that everyone can agree to.
