In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Melissa DiMuro, the Chief People, Culture & Marketing Officer at Limbach, about leading with resilience during times of change and the importance of evolving alongside the businesses we serve.
Melissa’s journey started in a blue-collar household and was shaped by the strength and grit of her grandmother—a farmer’s daughter who raised twelve siblings and worked multiple jobs just to keep food on the table. That legacy of resilience deeply influenced Melissa’s leadership style and commitment to growth through discomfort.
Though her path wasn’t linear—initially aspiring to be a psychologist—Melissa leaned into her natural strengths and built a career across multiple male-dominated industries including printing, aviation, and construction. Her ability to navigate change and adapt through uncertainty positioned her as a transformational leader who prioritizes systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and authenticity.
Melissa emphasized that today’s leaders must lead with calm confidence, agility, and vision—even when the future is unclear. She urges emerging leaders to develop their emotional intelligence, stay informed, and most importantly, lead with intention no matter their title.
Key takeaways from the interview:
0:01:45 – Melissa’s hardworking grandmother served as a model for persistence, strength, and self-determination.
0:05:00 – Her career path wasn’t a straight line—she pivoted from psychology to HR, learning to embrace discomfort as a growth driver.
0:06:34 – Melissa chose to take on tough roles and switch industries, believing that growth happens when you lean into the uncomfortable.
0:09:44 – Evolving leadership means practicing systems thinking and being agile amidst constant change.
0:11:16 – Emotional intelligence and intentionality are essential for leading people through disruption.
0:13:08 – Great leaders manage fear by preparing their teams and working themselves out of a job—developing others is key.
0:15:00 – Change leadership is not just about strategy, but the how—transparency and empathy build trust.
0:18:00 – Melissa shares how Limbach is deepening customer relationships by leading with purpose and service—not just transactions.
0:21:05 – A leader’s long-term success depends on relationships, context, and empowering teams with shared vision.
0:25:58 – Her final advice: compete only with yourself. Be better than yesterday and seek inspiration—not comparison—from others.
If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, or you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, how to build more cohesive and high-performing teams, and lead with greater confidence and influence, let’s have a confidential conversation.
Cheering you on always!
– Sheryl
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