Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Ng Goldner

Hi Melissa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I grew up as an Asian American woman, raised by two immigrant parents with traditional values that emphasized respect for hierarchy and achievement as a measure of worth. Early on, my path was defined by external expectations—high-powered roles in consulting, prestigious titles, and the constant grind. I held leadership roles in transformation and organizational change at places like Prophet, Ogilvy & Mather, and Slalom. From the outside, it looked like I’d “made it,” but on the inside, I was worn down, especially after having two young children and experiencing postpartum depression. I was operating on autopilot, collecting accolades and accomplishments to fit a narrative that wasn’t truly my own.

Then, I was laid off. That moment shook me to my core. It forced me to stop, reflect, and ask myself some hard questions about what I truly wanted. For the first time, I had the space to understand that my worth couldn’t just be defined by my career. I met other women in transition and connected with mentors who helped me see that transitions are not the end of the road but often the beginning of something greater. This perspective reshaped my journey and led me to build a life and career aligned with my own values, not society’s expectations.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

The road has been anything but smooth. I’ve faced some of the toughest challenges, from sexual abuse/assault, losing close friends and family too early due to illness, discrimination and bias to toxic work environments and leaders. These experiences have been harsh, but they’ve also been some of my greatest teachers. Each instance of discrimination or disrespect taught me something essential—not only about resilience but about the importance of using my voice to fight for equity. Each toxic boss, unfair company culture, or person who acted out of their own limitations deepened my conviction that we must advocate for the voices of historically underrepresented groups.

Ironically, these “worst offenders” helped shape my mission. They taught me how not to act and fueled my empathy for people who may be trapped by their own unexamined biases or pressures. I’ve learned that those who discriminate or oppress are often held back by the weight of their own judgment and unhealed wounds. These encounters have shown me that change starts with courageous conversations, even when they’re uncomfortable. They also inspired me to create spaces—like Malu—where people can confront these challenges with the support of a compassionate community.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

The inspiration behind Malu comes from my own journey of questioning the status quo. Chinese was my first language, and when I was three years old, I asked my mother why we called the road we lived on “horse road,” even though there were no horses in sight. She recognized then that I was going to challenge conventional thinking for the rest of my life. This drive has stayed with me. In college, I created my own two majors, which required university board approval. I pitched my role as Partner in Transformation to the CEO and CDO at Ogilvy & Mather, and at Slalom, I sold projects beyond my official scope, earning mentorship from the Head of Sales and the Head of Accounting.

The same questioning led to the creation of Malu, where I saw a gap between traditional therapy and business coaching. Malu’s philosophy stems from the belief that “it takes a village”—a concept that applies not just to motherhood, but to all of life’s challenges. The “Malu Movement” was born out of this vision to provide a space that goes beyond quick fixes and transactional relationships. We’re building a community that nurtures individuals holistically, addressing their past, present, and future with intention. Right now, I’m focused on scaling our impact, collaborating with organizations to transform how they support their people, and continuing to expand Malu’s reach into underserved communities.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?

Oh my, so many people come to mind.

My Mother – Choosing to Move Forward: My mother, a daughter of a prominent conservative Christian pastor, went through immense emotional turmoil during her divorce from my father. At that time, divorce carried deep social stigma, especially in her community, and she fell into a severe depression. At her lowest point, she almost drove off the Delaware Bridge, but at the last moment, she stopped, thinking, “I’d rather kill my husband than myself.” Although she never acted on this thought, she later found her voice and inner strength. Watching her transformation taught me that no matter how low you might feel, there is always a way up. She grew from one of the weakest people I knew into one of the strongest, inspiring me to believe in resilience and the power of choice.

My Business Partner – The Left Brain for my Right Brain: What started as a simple networking call turned into one of the most pivotal connections of my life. In each weekly call and brainstorming session, we’ve built something more than a business; we’ve built a powerful collaboration. Her strengths fill in all the gaps where mine fall short, creating a synergy that makes Malu stronger with every step. It’s a connection that fuels both vision and execution—where one person’s ideas stop, the other’s begin.

A Previous Client – Finding My Own Voice: During my time at a consulting firm, I worked with a leader who treated our team so poorly that some of my colleagues were hospitalized due to stress and anxiety. A female client who observed this situation offered me guidance on standing up to workplace mistreatment. With her encouragement, I pushed past cultural norms about “respecting hierarchy” and learned the importance of advocating for myself and my team. It was a pivotal moment in discovering the strength of my own voice.

A Mentor from a Women’s Community – A Lifeline in a Difficult Time: After my recent layoff, I was feeling vulnerable and lost. But on my first day of unemployment, a mentor from my women’s community reached out with an opportunity—offering me a paid contract to develop a strategic plan for a purpose-driven nonprofit. This project rekindled my sense of purpose and reminded me why I love aligning with meaningful causes. She has since become a key ally, introducing me to powerhouse individuals in her network who have grown into trusted friends and clients. This mentor created a safe space for me to heal, reflect, and rebuild, helping me to emerge from one of the most challenging transitions of my life with resilience and renewed confidence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://malujourney.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasng/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dks1Rm1vHqM

Image Credits

Jessica Osber Photography (headshots)
Jazz Fall (brand identity)