Chief of Staff Podcast: Interview with Melinda Munroe

Introduction

This is a blog post that summarizes the Chief of Staff Podcast episode called Getting Stuff Done with Melinda Munroe, a seasoned Chief of Staff and marketing leader with experience ranging from working at Salesforce to Series A startups. In this insightful interview, Melinda discusses her journey in the Chief of Staff role, and her thoughts on work-life integration - balancing career and personal life.

The Journey to Becoming a Chief of Staff

Melinda’s journey to becoming a Chief of Staff is started off with an early passion for STEM, inspired by The X-Files television show, which initially led her towards forensic anthropology. However, realizing the job scarcity in that field, she pivoted to business, and worked at ServiceMax in product and customer marketing while pursuing an MBA. After graduating, she transitioned into a leadership development position as a PMO. She discovered the Chief of Staff role through a friend's recommendation and seizing the opportunity, she pitched the position to ServiceMax, becoming the Chief of Staff to the COO. Following ServiceMax’s acquisition by GE Digital, Melinda ventured back into marketing roles at startups and large companies like Oracle and Salesforce. Through a connection with her former ServiceMax principal-turned-mentor, she was drawn back to the Chief of Staff role, and now reports to the CEO at Nexla.

Intersection of Marketing and the Chief of Staff Role

Melinda’s favorite aspect of marketing has always been engaging with customers—learning their stories and helping them build their personal brands. In product marketing, she enjoyed using detective-like skills to understand customer profiles and pinpoint their pain points. This cross-functional nature of marketing, requiring collaboration across teams, naturally aligns with the core responsibilities of a Chief of Staff. Both roles demand curiosity, strategic thinking, and strong coordination across departments.

As a Chief of Staff, Melinda thrives on cross-functional collaboration, whether driving OKRs or leading strategic planning initiatives. She works closely with key departments such as finance, sales, and marketing to ensure everyone is aligned on goals and budgets. The Chief of Staff role requires her to bring various stakeholders together, crafting a cohesive plan that accounts for everyone’s priorities while keeping the organization moving forward.

Ruthless Prioritization and Work-Life Balance

Melinda’s superpower is her ability to GSD—get stuff done. For example, she might leave the office early to take her son to swim lessons, seamlessly working from practice when needed, blending life with work. She constantly evaluates her weekly calendar, practicing ruthless prioritization and time-blocking to stay on track. Her system includes maintaining a weekly list of top priorities, which she jots down using good old-fashioned pen and paper, while also carving out dedicated time for deep work on her calendar. As a working mom, setting clear boundaries and clear communication is crucial to work-life balance. For Melinda, empathy and flexibility are also essential to achieving this balance.

Joining the Chief of Staff Network

When Melinda first became a Chief of Staff in 2016, resources for people in the role were scarce. Upon returning to the position later in her career, she discovered the Chief of Staff Network to be an invaluable resource. She mentioned that our Slack workspace offers a wealth of shared knowledge, templates, and peer support that have helped her navigate the diverse demands of the role. Our in-person events have also been enriching, providing insights from fellow Chiefs of Staff. As an advocate for working parents, Melinda is passionate about championing their presence and voice in the role and connecting with other Chief of Staff parents in the community.

Final Thoughts

Melinda closed out the podcast sharing that finding the right company and leader is crucial for success in the Chief of Staff role. It’s essential to build mutual trust and ensure the role aligns with both your personal and professional goals. Networking and connecting with other Chiefs of Staff can offer valuable insights, guidance, and support. She shared that the Chief of Staff Network, in particular, is an excellent resource for building those connections and fostering continuous growth in the role.

You can connect with Melinda on LinkedIn here