Empowering Local Women in Business: A Spotlight on Michele Monte, Co-Founder of Offshoot Professional Development

Meet Michele Monte, Co-Founder of Offshoot Professional Development. After more than two decades in corporate leadership, Michele transformed her passion for coaching into a business focused on helping professionals navigate pivotal career moments.

Michele and her business partner, Kevin Kowalick, first met while working together at Comcast. Over the years, they built a strong professional partnership rooted in trust, mutual respect, and a shared passion for developing leaders. Those experiences ultimately led them to launch Offshoot Professional Development, where they help professionals navigate the transition from individual contributor to leader through coaching, workshops, and leadership development programs.

A Career Built on Purpose

Michele's professional journey spans more than 20 years in corporate America. Beginning her career as a manager, she steadily advanced through leadership roles, overseeing increasingly larger teams and responsibilities.

One philosophy has guided her throughout that journey: "I really believe that every experience is creating data to understand the next pivot that you want to make in your career."

As her responsibilities expanded, Michele discovered that the most rewarding part of her work wasn't overseeing operations; it was supporting others as they grew in their careers and leadership journeys.

During her time at Comcast, she led a large, multi-tiered sales support and marketing organization responsible for supporting approximately $150 million in business. Along the way, she found fulfillment in helping people connect their work to larger business outcomes and recognize opportunities for growth.

Around the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michele decided to pursue professional coaching certification. What began as a passion project eventually grew into a full-time business, allowing her to combine her corporate experience with her passion for helping others navigate their careers.

"I knew that I wanted to do it, but a life event put me into my coaching business a little bit sooner than I wanted to, and I'm thankful for that now."

Breaking Through Traditional Expectations

The expectations Michele grew up with played an important role in shaping her early professional experiences.

Raised by what she describes as "wonderful, wonderful parents," Michele grew up in a household that reflected many of the traditional family roles common at the time. Those experiences influenced how she initially viewed leadership, success, and her place within professional environments.

As her career progressed, she became increasingly aware of how some of those early assumptions affected the way she showed up in the workplace. Through coaching, self-reflection, and personal development, she learned to challenge those beliefs and embrace her own leadership presence.

As Michele puts it: "I would say as a woman in business, I have run the gamut of figuring out how to find my voice and use my voice and really be in my power."

Today, she encourages other women to trust their abilities, speak with confidence, and embrace opportunities that may feel uncomfortable at first.

The Importance of Mentorship and a Personal Board of Directors

Mentorship has been one of the most influential forces throughout Michele's career. She credits her business partner, Kevin Kowalick, as both a trusted mentor and role model whose guidance has helped shape her professional journey.

Michele also believes in cultivating what she calls a personal "board of directors,“ trusted individuals who provide honest feedback, offer perspective during challenging moments, and genuinely support your growth. She believes that surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking and champion your success is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your career.

Overcoming Challenges and Rewriting Old Narratives

Throughout her career, Michele has continued to examine and challenge assumptions she once carried about leadership and professional success.

She recalls reading Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office early in her career and realizing that some of the habits she had developed no longer aligned with the leadership presence she wanted to cultivate. That realization became an important catalyst for growth and self-awareness.

Her story demonstrates that progress is often less about overcoming external obstacles and more about being willing to evolve, learn, and redefine success on your own terms.

Advice for Women Pursuing Business and Entrepreneurship

For women considering a career in business or entrepreneurship, Michele's advice is simple but powerful: "Operate with the end in mind."

She encourages women to define what success looks like and use that vision to guide their decisions. "If I'm high-fiving at the end of my career, what am I high-fiving? What does success look like?" By understanding what they are ultimately working toward, aspiring leaders can make more intentional choices and remain focused through challenges and uncertainty.

A Lasting Impact

Today, Michele draws on her corporate experience and coaching expertise to help others navigate change, embrace new opportunities, and lead with intention.

Her journey illustrates how embracing change, challenging limiting beliefs, and investing in yourself can create new possibilities. More importantly, it serves as a reminder that leadership is not about having all the answers; it's about having the courage to grow, adapt, and step confidently into what's next.

Thank you for learning more about Michele Monte's inspiring path with us. Stay tuned for more stories highlighting exceptional women in our community.