Award-winning author, speaker, and visual artist Melanie Ho will lead a workshop titled “Comics for Real Talk About What Women Face at Work” at Marshall University. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation. In partnership with BOLD at Marshall University, the workshop has been expanded to include women from the Huntington community.
The session will address several key topics relevant to women’s experiences in professional environments. These include understanding persistent double standards such as the “Goldilocks Dilemma” in leadership roles, challenges faced by women advancing into senior positions, and the distinction between intent and impact during difficult conversations. Participants will also discuss internalized bias and ways to recognize and interrupt patterns that influence self-perception among women.
Other themes involve allyship and intersectionality, offering practical steps for supporting both women and allies across genders. The workshop includes interactive doodling exercises designed to help participants envision new approaches together; no prior artistic experience is required.
Melanie Ho brings more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education consulting to her presentations. She has previously served as a corporate executive and literature instructor at UCLA. Her workshops are known for combining strategy with creativity through art and narrative.
Attendance is free but registration is encouraged through Marshall University’s website.
“I use art and narrative to bring today’s most urgent leadership concepts to life,” said Ho about her approach. “By integrating strategy with creativity, I help audiences think more expansively, engage more honestly, and lead with clarity and purpose.”
