About | Empower Your Career Now

Why Draft & Direction?

We are a leadership consulting firm dedicated to supporting organizations and individuals who want to combat burnout, empower their teams, solve complex problems, and navigate organizational change.

Our clients are CEOs, nonprofit executives, pastors, and senior leaders navigating significant responsibility—frequently with limited resources, unclear authority, and systems that were not designed with their leadership in mind.

In particular, women and non-binary leaders face persistent challenges including burnout, credibility gaps, accountability without power, and the emotional toll of managing people, boards, and culture change. Our consulting is grounded in social science, organizational research, and real‑world leadership experience. We helping our clients strengthen decision‑making, build authority with integrity, navigate power dynamics, and leverage career tools ethically and effectively.

See our research

Meet the Founder

Portrait of a smiling woman with curly dark hair, wearing a dark purple blazer, white top, and a long beaded necklace, against a white background.

Dr. Melanie Buford (she/her)

I’m a Harvard-trained organizational psychologist who has worked for a variety of non-profits and universities, including University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, University of Cincinnati, Wesleyan University, Points of Light, Year Up United, and Education Pioneers.

I’ve been a leadership and career coach for 15 years, and I’ve worked with at least 5000 students and clients (probably more). I’m certified in 3 different career assessments, and have masterclass training in a more advanced technique called Career Construction.

I’ve published peer-reviewed academic papers and popular press articles, along with two books. I study leadership, personality science, and the world of work, and I love drawing on the best models out there to solve the toughest career problems.

Learn more about my research, awards, and professional background.