Why Draft & Direction?
We develop talent and solve people problems.
We design team diagnostic and training solutions that deliver insight and tangible results. We also work with individual clients—C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and senior leaders navigating significant responsibility—frequently with limited resources, unclear authority, and systems that were not designed with their leadership in mind.
Our approach combines personality science and systems-thinking to diagnose organizational problems. We then leverage the Observe, Interpret, Intervene model to test solutions (Heifetz et al., 2014).
About Melanie
Dr. Melanie Buford (she/her) is a Harvard-trained organizational psychologist who has worked in higher education and public service for 15 years, serving the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, University of Cincinnati, Wesleyan University, Points of Light, Year Up United, and Education Pioneers.
Melanie has engaged 3000+ clients in identifying, developing, and applying their unique professional talents. She is certified in 3 leading personality assessments, and has masterclass training in a more advanced technique called Career Construction.
Melanie is the author of two books and a prolific contributor to academic and mainstream media. She leverages personality science to solve organizational problems that stall growth and undermine teams, translating high-level leadership theory into actionable strategies for the world of work.
Melanie has been recognized with the Kenneth B. Hoyt Career Education Practitioner Award, the Ralph W. Tyler Award, the Sunny Hansen Graduate Student Award, and the YWCA Rising Star Award. She earned her EdM in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard Graduate School of Education and her PhD in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
Learn more about her research, awards, and professional background.
