“Our love language is bringing other women & non-binary leaders with us when we rise. There’s room for all of us at the top.”
The Nova™
Finally a room you can’t wait to walk into!
The Situation
Ambitious women & non-binary leaders often find ourselves navigating a world that still measures success by outdated, patriarchal standards—standards that leave us feeling isolated, constantly competing, and disconnected from our true selves. Even as we collect accomplishments, the deeper yearning for authentic connection, self-expression, and a sense of belonging that aligns with who we truly are persists.
And we’re done playing by those rules!
We know the truth: we need each other. We need to stand in the most powerful, aligned collective, not just to survive, but to rise—together, unapologetically, and unstoppable.
The Solution
The solution lies in creating spaces where we can finally be our full, unapologetic selves—spaces rooted in deep trust and shared purpose, where the five core ingredients are:
- Lifting each other up, celebrating every win
- Relating to one another’s challenges and triumphs
- Uniting around shared values and bigger visions
- Building a culture where vulnerability is not just welcome, but honored
- Expecting and embracing bold, authentic self-expression
The Nova offers more than just a community—it’s a transformative experience. Here, women & non-binary individuals gather in sacred spaces built on deep safety, collective empowerment, and bold authenticity. By fostering environments that prioritize holistic excellence and fun, The Nova unlocks a level of fulfillment, impact, and success that can only come from rising together—on our own terms
Here, every woman & non-binary individual is seen, heard, and celebrated for her unique contributions, creating a pathway to living a life that’s fully expressed and deeply satisfying.
Our Purpose
At The Nova™, our mission is to be a powerful space where soul-led professional women & non-binary leaders unite, shedding the masks we’ve been told to wear and daring to rewrite the rules of what’s possible. Together, we remember who the hell we are.
Because when we rise together, here’s what happens:
- Our community becomes unbreakable.
- We fuel a society built on empathy, equality, and unapologetic authenticity.
- We shatter the expectations that once held us back.
- And we transform into unstoppable forces of positive change—aka, A NOVA.
This isn’t just about gathering; it’s about revolutionizing what it means to be a woman in today’s world.
Our Vision
The Nova™ is a global movement that unites and elevates women & non-binary leaders from every corner of the globe, igniting a revolution of sacred rebellion, holistic excellence, bold authenticity, and collective empowerment.
The Nova™
Women & Non-binary People Of All Walks.
One Powerful Purpose.
A brave, loving space for people of color. Rooted in peer support, shared wisdom, and deep belonging.
Lead with vision, heart, and feminine power. Connect with community innovating toward holistic, embodied success.
Wisdom flows across ages. We honor every chapter, every voice, every walk of life.
Trailblazers, you belong here. Share the ride with leaders who get the highs, lows, and breakthroughs of building something bold.
LGBTQAI+ identifying women are seen, celebrated, and safe here. Come as you are. Be held as you grow.
You’re here to shake the world up — and we’re with you. Join others creating impact with purpose, passion, and art.
“Our love language is bringing other women & non-binary leaders with us when we rise. There’s room for all of us at the top.”
Meet Your Future Self
Melissa, Founder + Visionary
Welcome! I’m Melissa or as my friends call me Mo, the Founder and Chief Visionary of The Nova™. My heart’s deepest wish is for The Nova™ to be your home—a place where you walk in and immediately think, “Where have you been all my life?” You’ll find the missing pieces here, the space where you can finally embrace authenticity and ambition and discover the tools and support you need for every facet of your life.
I built this community from a personal journey of healing and self-discovery, a journey that began in my tight-knit, community-focused family. Growing up, I felt the power of support within my neighborhood and church, but I also absorbed the rigid ideas of “right” and “wrong.” That upbringing left me battling years of internal conflict, despite outward success, constantly shrinking parts of myself I thought weren’t good enough. I felt anxious, uncertain, and often relied on external distractions to keep that inner critic quiet.
A decade ago, I took a leap—a deep dive into self-exploration, and what I found was profound: the magic of being seen. Real joy, real love, and self-expression beyond my wildest dreams showed up when I found communities where I could fully be me. I realized that a collective built on self-trust, spiritual freedom, and authentic connection is the true path to a fulfilling life.
This discovery was the fuel for founding The Nova in 2023. But let’s be clear—The Nova isn’t just my vision. It’s our vision, born from countless conversations with women and non-binary people who, like me, crave spaces that honor both our ambition and authenticity. We’re here to co-create this together, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
“Our love language is bringing other women with us when we rise. There’s room for all of us at the top”
Meet MO
Founder + Visionary
Hello, I’m Mo, the Founder and Chief Visionary at The Nova. My deepest aspiration is for The Nova to be your sanctuary, a place where you immediately feel at home. When you step into any Nova space, I want you to wonder, “Where have you been all my life?” Here, you’ll find that missing piece that allows you to embrace your authentic self and uncover resources to support every aspect of your life.
My journey in creating this community was fueled by my personal healing and self-discovery journey, influenced by my upbringing in a close-knit, community-oriented family. During my childhood, I witnessed the incredible power of loving support within a tight church community. However, this environment also instilled in me a rigid, black-and-white mindset, where I believed certain aspects of myself were good while others were bad. This internal conflict led to decades of shame and hiding, despite my significant professional success and outward confidence. I struggled to truly trust and know myself, resulting in anxiety and a reliance on alcohol to silence my inner critic.
Approximately a decade ago, I embarked on a journey of self-exploration, both personally, spiritually and professionally. Along the way, I created and leaned on various communities during different seasons of life where I felt truly seen and understood. Whether it was connecting with newcomers in Colorado, fellow pregnant or new moms, new neighbors, or ambitious and sacred women, I discovered that finding joy, love, belonging, and possibilities beyond my wildest dreams were deeply intertwined with the support of these communities.
I came to a profound realization: a community that nurtures self-trust is the secret sauce to a fulfilling life!
In the fall of 2023, I had the privilege of founding The Nova alongside an exceptional team and board, including our friend “Chad” aka ChatGPT. Together, we recognized that we aren’t meant to navigate life’s journey in isolation. We share similar struggles and dreams, and we’ve witnessed the power that emerges when we unite!
Fun fact – my Human Design Chart reveals my life mission: to fearlessly liberate others by sparking an awareness of your limitless potential, guiding you to confront your inner shadows, and alchemizing your fears into strength!
Welcome to The Nova family – we are absolutely thrilled that you’ve joined us. It’s time for a Nova-lution!
Our Team
Our Board
Adele McCarthy-Beauvais
DEI Committee
Adele McCarthy-Beauvais (she/her) is a strategic leader with deep expertise in education innovation, workforce development, and leadership development. As Vice President of the Tech Talent Partnership, she drives initiatives to create more equitable career pathways. Previously, Adele led executive facilitation and coaching operations at Chief, supporting thousands of senior women leaders across the country.
Gena Chieco
Life & executive coach, Conscious leadership
Empowers individuals at The Nova to unlock their potential, leveraging her legal and executive coaching background for deep, transformative growth.
Brenda Rowe Plasz
Spiritual Director
Brenda has 30 years in finance, including 18 at Bank of America in leadership roles. Concurrently, she’s devoted two decades to Reiki and Meditation, earning her Masters and Teaching Certification.
Lisa Kalfus
Human Connection Facilitator & Founder of Firestart Connections
Dr. Jessica Sharp
DEI committee
Dr. Jessica Sharp (she/her) is a leadership consultant, speaker, and social entrepreneur committed to building more inclusive, connected communities. She holds a Doctorate in Leadership Psychology and leads Sharp Brain Consulting, partnering with organizations to create cultures of belonging.
Jessica also serves on The Nova Global DEI Committee and volunteers nationally to advance equity and leadership development