Melissa Tousley is a portrait photographer, empowerment coach, and founder of Women Who Lead: NNY Business Collective.

With over a decade of experience in radio media and a background in branding and storytelling, Melissa has always had a passion for helping people be seen and heard. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandise Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where her love for entrepreneurship and building successful businesses first took root.

After recognizing a lack of spaces in Northern New York where women entrepreneurs and professionals could genuinely connect and grow, Melissa launched Women Who Lead—a collective designed to empower, support, and inspire. Through high-impact workshops, networking events, and community-driven initiatives, Melissa brings together a vibrant network of women ready to lead with confidence and purpose.