The Vision Behind the Society
Leadership Salon Society was created as a space for women who lead with intention, integrity, and depth. It is a community shaped by thoughtful conversation, meaningful connection, and the belief that leadership is not defined by titles, but by presence, character, and the way we choose to show up for ourselves and one another.
Our Origin Story
Leadership Salon Society began with a simple but powerful truth: women lead differently. We lead with intuition, with clarity, with compassion, and often without the support, recognition, or community that honors the full weight of what we carry.
Throughout my own career, I witnessed both the best and the worst of leadership. I saw how women were overlooked, underestimated, or expected to shrink themselves to fit into spaces that were never designed for them. I also saw the extraordinary strength, wisdom, and resilience that women bring to every room they enter.
The Society was born from a desire to create something different. A place where women could gather without pretense, share openly, learn from one another, and rise together. A place where leadership is defined by intention, not hierarchy. A place where women support women in ways that are genuine, generous, and deeply human.
This is the community I needed earlier in my journey. Now, it is the community I am honored to build.
Our Leadership Philosophy
Leadership, at its core, is an expression of who we are — not what we do. It is shaped by our values, our experiences, and the choices we make every day. At Leadership Salon Society, we believe leadership should be practiced with:
Grace. The ability to navigate complexity with steadiness and compassion.
Clarity. The courage to make intentional decisions rooted in truth.
Integrity. The commitment to lead in ways that honor ourselves and others.
Connection. The understanding that leadership is strengthened through community, not isolation.
We honor the idea that leadership is not a destination. It is a continual practice — one that evolves as we evolve.
Founding Members
Leadership Salon Society is guided not only by its founder, but by a circle of women whose insight, support, and shared vision helped shape its foundation. Our founding members represent the spirit of the Society: women who lead with purpose, who uplift others, and who believe in the power of collective growth.
Leadership Salon Society is guided by the vision and experience of its founder, Michelle Hunter, an executive advisor, strategist, and advocate for women who lead with intention and integrity.
With more than two decades of experience in executive leadership, strategic operations, and business ownership, Michelle has built a career rooted in clarity, purpose, and the belief that leadership is both a responsibility and a privilege. Her work spans national consulting, organizational transformation, and the development of leaders across industries — always with a focus on elevating women’s voices and creating spaces where they can lead with confidence and authenticity.
Michelle’s approach to leadership is shaped by lived experience: navigating environments where leadership was misused, witnessing the impact of toxic cultures, and choosing to become the kind of leader who builds rather than breaks. Her commitment to intentional leadership is the foundation of the Society and the guiding force behind its mission.
Through Leadership Salon Society and Leadership Salon Publishing, Michelle continues to champion women who are ready to rise — not by conforming, but by leading with grace, strength, and unwavering purpose.
Michelle Hunter
Founder & Community Leader
Donna Francis
Founding Member
Ashley Jones
Founding Member
Tess Brown
Founding Member
If you are seeking a community where leadership is practiced with purpose, where women support women, and where growth is both personal and collective, you are welcome here. Leadership Salon Society is more than a membership, it is a movement toward intentional, empowered leadership.
If this is the kind of leadership community you’ve been seeking, we invite you to step into the Society.
The Society Today
What began as a vision has grown into a community of women committed to leading with intention and supporting one another with authenticity. The Society continues to evolve by expanding its offerings, deepening its conversations, and creating new opportunities for women to learn, grow, and lead with confidence.
Here, women find not only resources and development, but a sense of belonging. A place to be seen, heard, and supported. A place to rise.