Who is Who
Melissa Cohen is a LinkedIn Top Voice, Amazon Bestselling Author, and Personal Branding Strategist. As Managing Partner at Own Your Spotlight and Founder of MBC Consulting Solutions, LLC, she empowers executives and entrepreneurs to amplify their authentic voice, build influence, and transform digital presence into meaningful professional impact.
A Journey from Corporate Heights to Entrepreneurial Triumph
In the rhythm of New York City, where ambition pulses through every skyline, Melissa Cohen discovered not only her voice but a movement. What began as a climb through the structured towers of the fashion industry transformed into a mission to help others build their own spotlight. Today, she stands at the intersection of authenticity and strategy, guiding leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs to elevate their personal brands with intention and heart.
From Corporate Success to Self-Discovery
For years, Melissa’s name echoed through the corridors of American fashion powerhouses. Her rise from an entry-level assistant to Vice President at Polo Ralph Lauren was marked by drive, discipline, and grace. Colleagues recall her as “a gifted leader and strategic thinker with calm precision,” a professional whose leadership inspired loyalty and excellence across teams.
Then came 2020 a year that reshaped industries and identities alike. When the pandemic disrupted her corporate path, Melissa faced an inflection point that would define the next chapter of her life. Instead of retreating, she chose reinvention. Out of challenge came clarity, and with it, the birth of MBC Consulting Solutions, LLC, her boutique consultancy focused on brand strategy, sourcing, and sustainable leadership.
What began as a consulting venture soon evolved into something far more powerful—a platform for transformation, not only for businesses but for people seeking to rediscover their purpose and voice.
Building Brands, Empowering Voices
Melissa’s evolution from fashion executive to personal branding strategist was neither accidental nor abrupt. It was born of deep introspection and a commitment to authenticity. When she turned to LinkedIn as a space to rebuild, she didn’t just post she connected, engaged, and led with empathy.
Her consistent presence and insightful storytelling caught the attention of professionals worldwide, earning her the distinction of LinkedIn Top Voice and the affectionate title “The Good Witch of LinkedIn”—a reflection of her ability to turn uncertainty into empowerment. As one client described, “She doesn’t just give advice; she helps you find your own voice and teaches you how to amplify it.”
Through MBC Consulting, Melissa has guided thousands of professionals in shaping their personal narratives. Her approach blends strategic clarity with emotional intelligence, empowering clients to not only stand out but also stand for something meaningful.
Her influence expanded with the co-founding of DIY Influence, where she leads community engagement, and her recent role as Managing Partner at Own Your Spotlight, a venture dedicated to helping individuals embrace visibility with confidence. As an Advisor at Hubble, she extends this expertise further, offering one-on-one coaching sessions on personal branding, audience growth, and authentic engagement.
In every endeavor, Melissa’s message remains consistent: your voice is your most powerful asset.
Sustainability, Authenticity, and Leadership
Melissa’s roots in the corporate world continue to inform her leadership philosophy. At Polo Ralph Lauren, she spearheaded sustainability initiatives that championed ethical sourcing, preferred fibers, and traceable supply chains. Her approach to business remains anchored in integrity balancing profit with purpose.
Those who have collaborated with her describe her as “an energetic catalyst, a connector of people and ideas,” and “a leader who uplifts others while raising the bar.” Whether consulting with CEOs or mentoring early-career professionals, Melissa cultivates environments where transparency and trust lead to innovation.
Her journey also underscores an essential truth: reinvention doesn’t erase past success; it redefines it. As one executive observed after attending her workshop, “Melissa reframes LinkedIn not as a job platform, but as a stage for storytelling and impact.”
A Thought Leader Who Walks Her Talk
Today, Melissa is recognized not only for her coaching and consulting excellence but also as an Amazon Bestselling Author of Your Career Resilience Blueprint, a tactical guide to navigating change and designing one’s future with confidence. Her book encapsulates the very essence of her own story—resilience, reinvention, and rediscovery.
Beyond her business ventures, she is an active Board Member of Her Move Next, mentoring young women through chess and leadership. Through workshops and speaking engagements, she has influenced countless communities and organizations, including Chief, Empower Women That Rock, and the Badass Business Summit.
Her sessions are more than professional development they are immersive experiences in clarity, courage, and connection. As Donnie Boivin, founder of Success Champion Networking, shared, “Her insights and energy lit up the room. She doesn’t just teach; she transforms how people see themselves.”
Living Her Message
Even amidst her accomplishments, Melissa remains refreshingly human. Her weekly reflection ritual celebrating wins on Fridays and defining intentions on Sundays—reflects a mindset of gratitude and growth. In her own words, “Fridays are for celebrating wins. Sundays are for defining them.” It’s a philosophy that encapsulates her belief in momentum, mindfulness, and meaning.
Her clients echo this authenticity. “Melissa made LinkedIn less intimidating,” says one executive. “She helped me not just be visible, but be seen for who I truly am.”
Through her work, Melissa has transformed how people view digital presence. She teaches that online engagement is not performance it’s personal leadership in action.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Melissa’s mission is clear: to continue helping professionals harness visibility as a tool for empowerment. Through Own Your Spotlight, she is building a global community centered on confidence, communication, and connection. She envisions a future where authenticity and influence coexist, where professionals lead not from perfection but from purpose.
Her journey, from the corporate corridors of Ralph Lauren to the virtual communities she now leads, mirrors the evolution of modern leadership itself fluid, fearless, and profoundly human.
Editorial Note
Melissa Cohen’s story is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the enduring power of voice. She embodies what it means to turn challenge into clarity and success into service. Through her work as strategist, author, and mentor, she continues to inspire leaders everywhere to not just build their brands, but to own their light and shine it forward.
