Melissa Botello has spent over 25 years in the medical device industry, fourteen of which have been with Dexcom–a company that “set the standard in glucose bio sensing.” Because diabetes runs in her family, Melissa is “super passionate” about her life’s work. At the core of her leadership philosophy is a deep commitment to service and advocacy.
Melissa is married with three children. Family is everything! She grew up with Italian-Mexican parents, living in an underserved area. What her family lacked financially, was made up with an abundance of love and connection. Melissa’s parents instilled in her the value in paying it forward, taking care of others, and building community, which is what drew her to Leap to Success. After attending a Circle of Hope event, Melissa raised her hand and said, “I am here to help!” And we took her up on it!
As a new board member, we asked Melissa how confidence has influenced her journey and how it helps shape a woman’s story. She shared:
“There have been many moments in my life when I’ve struggled with confidence, including a recent experience that left me feeling completely unseen. I even wrote about it in my journal that day. The title I gave it was: ‘I Felt Invisible.’ A group of people, mostly men, walked into a conference room. The leader greeted everyone except me. He didn’t even acknowledge I was there. My confidence plummeted, and I left that day feeling disheartened. But later, I reminded myself of everything I’ve accomplished and all the reasons I’ve earned my place at that table. The next time I saw that leader, I didn’t wait for acknowledgment. I initiated the conversation.
Confidence matters. It’s about being seen, being heard, and given opportunities. Time after time, I’ve witnessed equally qualified individuals compete for the same opportunity, but it’s the one who shows up with confidence, who gets noticed.
It’s not always easy, but I think if you can effectively articulate your value and contribution in a clear, concise, and memorable way, people will naturally gravitate towards you. I believe when a woman anchors on what makes her unique and special, and she leans into her confidence, she has the power to change the world!”
