Member-only

Redefining Networking: How to Lead With Your Unique Value

Name: Redefining Networking: How to Lead With Your Unique Value
Start: 2026-01-22T18:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-01-22T21:00:00+01:00
Location: Boston, TBD

A Blend Masterclass with Monique Kelley

Boston, TBD

January 22, 2026

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

About this event

For many leaders, networking still feels transactional, awkward, or performative. This Blend Masterclass challenges that outdated model and reframes networking as a powerful leadership capability rooted in authenticity, purpose, and value. Join the Blend Boston community for a high-impact session with Monique Kelley, Fortune 100 leader, executive coach, and author, as she shares a practical, human-centred approach to building relationships that amplify who you are, without self-promotion or burnout. This is about leading with your value and creating connections that genuinely accelerate opportunity.

Our speakers

Monique Kelley

Associate Director National Preparedness Leadership Initiative

Monique Kelley is a trusted, purpose-driven professor, consultant, and author who helps leaders build meaningful connections through value-led communication. A faculty member at Boston University, she teaches the College of Communication’s first and only Career Readiness course and is known for her practical, human-centered methodology for developing authentic professional relationships.

With a career that began in New York City supporting major biopharmaceutical brands — including Pfizer, Roche, Lilly, GSK, and Merck — Monique has spent decades leading high-stakes corporate communications and product marketing initiatives. She has served in fractional and interim leadership roles for Fortune 50 and global pharmaceutical companies, guiding strategic communications, advancing business objectives, and solving mission-critical challenges.

Her work spans everything from pitching game-changing therapies like ARICEPT® to delivering national health campaigns, including her memorable on-the-ground work for a Lilly diabetes initiative at IndyCar. Across every chapter of her career, Monique has built and nurtured a powerful network that she actively leverages for clients, colleagues, and students.

A leadership expert and advocate for connection-driven growth, she regularly delivers workshops on her signature “lead with your value” methodology for corporations, professional organizations, and rising leaders. Monique is a Founding Member of Chief, has earned multiple industry awards, and has served as a judge for several of them.

Steve Gee

CEO & Co-Founder

As Co-founder and CEO, Steve brings a wealth of experience in both entrepreneurship and executive leadership, fueling Blend’s mission to foster growth, collaboration, and innovation among its members helping them to break down silos and unlock the power of cognitive diversity.

With a background rooted in business strategy, events and technology, Steve is deeply passionate about harnessing the power of community to elevate individual and organizational success. His strategic insights, coupled with a relentless dedication to fostering meaningful connections, have helped propel Blend as the premier destination for executives from enterprise seeking to expand their networks and amplify their impact.

Steve’s leadership philosophy is centered on the belief that true success is achieved through collective empowerment and shared knowledge. Under his guidance, Blend has evolved into a vibrant membership ecosystem where executives from diverse industries come together to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and unlock new opportunities for growth.

Prior to co-founding Blend, Steve held key leadership roles in the events and technology sector, where he honed his skills in building high-performing teams and driving transformative change.

Blend is poised to redefine the future of executive networking and development, providing a membership platform where leaders can thrive, connect, and shape the future of business together.

Key themes & discussion topics

Clarifying your unique value and why it matters in a crowded, noisy world

Building sustainable, long-term relationships without self-promotion fatigue

Moving from transactional networking to authentic, purpose-driven connection

Creating a professional presence that attracts opportunity rather than chasing it

Event agenda

Registration & networking

6:00-6:30 PM

Masterclass & discussion

6:30-7:30 PM

Dinner

7:30 – 8:45 PM

Event wrap-up, reflection & networking

8:45 – 9:00 PM

Why should you attend?

You’re ready to rethink networking as a leadership skill – not a necessary evil

This session will help you articulate and lead with what genuinely differentiates you

You’ll gain a practical framework you can apply immediately in real-world settings

The room offers meaningful connection with senior leaders who value depth over volume

Event Organizer

Eliza Gleave

eliza@joinblend.com

Venue

Boston, TBD

Boston
United States

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