Michelle Merritt

How Women Lead is a national organization of top executive women focused on activating their individual and collective power to influence the change they want to see in the world through leadership, investment and philanthropy.

Circle City Coaching transforms training and development from business bingo buzzwords to catalysts that turn potential into performance, ideas into innovation, and teams into something more.

After a 20+ year career in recruiting, corporate communications, and training, I co-founded Merrfeld Career Management (now Circle City Coaching) in 2012. Today, Circle City Coaching is a corporate coaching and professional development firm serving small to medium-sized companies and nonprofits… Show more

Circle City Coaching transforms training and development from business bingo buzzwords to catalysts that turn potential into performance, ideas into innovation, and teams into something more.

After a 20+ year career in recruiting, corporate communications, and training, I co-founded Merrfeld Career Management (now Circle City Coaching) in 2012. Today, Circle City Coaching is a corporate coaching and professional development firm serving small to medium-sized companies and nonprofits.

C3 offers training in areas of Gallup CliftonStrengths, strengths-focused leadership, strengths-focused teamwork, train-the-trainer/train-the-coach, and e-coaching solutions.

As a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths coach, I embrace my reputation as a ‘corporate cheerleader'. My unique blend of positivity and direct communication style teaches clients how to develop their unique talents into strengths.

I've been featured in numerous local, national, and international publications, including Monster, Fast Company, The Sydney Morning Herald, the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM), and Recruiter.com. Show less

I developed and delivered training for 400+ staff members centered on providing exceptional customer service in a 21st-century library environment. Provided one-on-one coaching for executive leadership and management team to guide organizational culture.
DELIVERED RESULTS:
• Appointed as Interim Community Engagement Director after 5 months on the team. Responsible for two (2) departments and five (5) team members. Implemented ACPL’s first digital communication plan while streamlining… Show more

I developed and delivered training for 400+ staff members centered on providing exceptional customer service in a 21st-century library environment. Provided one-on-one coaching for executive leadership and management team to guide organizational culture.
DELIVERED RESULTS:
• Appointed as Interim Community Engagement Director after 5 months on the team. Responsible for two (2) departments and five (5) team members. Implemented ACPL’s first digital communication plan while streamlining processes to optimize customer service, resulting in improved internal/external customer engagement.
• Key member of the Strategic Planning Task Force facilitating workgroups, advising on training opportunities, and designing staff education to meet initiatives.
• Led team of six (6) to custom design, implement, and teach customer service training, coaching 350+ employees to develop soft skills necessary to provide outstanding internal and external customer experiences.
• Collaborated with the Indiana State Police, Fort Wayne Police Department, and Fort Wayne Community Schools to customize and present de-escalation techniques, commonly abused substances knowledge, and active shooter trainings.
• Trained managers in implementing a Reality-Based Leadership model to develop an accountable and engaged workforce.
• Keynote speaker and trainer for numerous organizations including Niche Academy, the Indiana Library Federation, Indiana State Library, and the Indiana Library Leadership Academy Show less

Led team of 15 to analyze projects and build organizational strategies for an 1800 member, $2M+ organization. Created and directed all corporate programming, events, marketing, PR, social media, and strategic planning.
DELIVERED RESULTS:
• Increased new member revenue by 10% annually.
• Played a vital role in retaining the Indiana National Guard 122nd Fighter Wing in NE Indiana through a community campaign and lobbying efforts at a national level.
• Served as the media… Show more

Led team of 15 to analyze projects and build organizational strategies for an 1800 member, $2M+ organization. Created and directed all corporate programming, events, marketing, PR, social media, and strategic planning.
DELIVERED RESULTS:
• Increased new member revenue by 10% annually.
• Played a vital role in retaining the Indiana National Guard 122nd Fighter Wing in NE Indiana through a community campaign and lobbying efforts at a national level.
• Served as the media spokesperson, coordinating public relations and external messaging. Show less

Created and implemented corporate culture strategy, intern programs, management training programs, diversity initiatives, and retention strategies in addition to managing all organization public relations.
DELIVERED RESULTS:
• Increased employee retention to 98% (20% increase) in 24 months through strong internal and external recruitment processes.
• Developed local and national strategic partnerships through community involvement to increase credit union presence and membership… Show more

Created and implemented corporate culture strategy, intern programs, management training programs, diversity initiatives, and retention strategies in addition to managing all organization public relations.
DELIVERED RESULTS:
• Increased employee retention to 98% (20% increase) in 24 months through strong internal and external recruitment processes.
• Developed local and national strategic partnerships through community involvement to increase credit union presence and membership. Represented credit union on 25+ boards and committees in NE Indiana. Show less

Managed recruitment for Fortune 500 homebuilding clients, resulting in over $1.5M in revenue. Consistently ranked in the top 10% of MRINetwork recruiters.