We recently had a chance to interview Dr. Kristine Medyanik, founder of Shattered Glass Leadership, and it was clear right away that she has a passion for making leadership both engaging and practical. She has a way of breaking down complex topics in a way that sticks, and she does it with a good dose of humor.
“She’s a leadership expert, but makes content and concepts easy to grasp and apply,” Kristine said when asked how a friend would introduce her. “She brings in a lot of humor and keeps audiences on their toes.”
Her ability to blend humor, insight, and real-world application is exactly what makes her work so impactful.
A Passion for Leadership and Learning
Kristine has spent over 15 years in teaching and professional development, and starting Shattered Glass Leadership felt like a natural next step.
“Launching a business that allows me to teach without grading was perfect!” she said. “I built professional development programs for students and faculty at various institutions and curated a number of leadership courses, so it just made sense to offer content to community leaders.”
The name “Shattered Glass Leadership” carries a powerful message.
“It’s a reference to smashing glass ceilings, which is a long-term concept impacting women and minorities in all kinds of organizations,” Kristine explained.
Her goal? To make leadership development accessible, engaging, and relevant for everyone, not just those with executive titles.
What Makes Shattered Glass Leadership Different?
Kristine believes that leadership isn’t about job titles or seniority. It’s something that everyone, in any role, can and should develop.
“Leadership isn’t about titles; it’s everyone’s business. It’s universal!” she said. “Organizations that promote professional development as part of their strategic plan have higher engagement and less turnover. The ROI for development can be hard to measure, but nationally and globally, the stats are clear that it offers significant benefits to organizations.”
One thing that sets Shattered Glass Leadership apart is its focus on practical application.
“My programs and content can actually be applied immediately, often in both work and home settings,” Kristine said. “Lots of leadership programs are either more focused on community awareness or are so philosophical that they’re not practical for day-to-day use.”
Another key difference is accessibility.
“We not only work to be financially accessible, but we also focus on leadership as a practice, providing tools and strategies,” she said. “It’s not just philosophical concepts or vague advice like ‘communicate better.’ We give you a variety of tools, strategies, and focus on how it applies in various settings.”
Programs Designed for Growth
Shattered Glass Leadership offers a variety of programs to help people develop their leadership skills, no matter where they are in their journey.
Kristine shared details about three ongoing retreats:
- Evolve – Focused on communicating through personality recognition.
- Rise and Thrive – A deep dive into self-leadership and becoming your best self.
- Elevate – Helping leaders operate from their best self and recognize when others may not be at their best.
She’s also particularly excited about The Evolving Leader Fellowship, a one-year virtual experience that provides expert-led content across high-demand leadership topics.
“It’s designed to help leaders navigate change, be agile, understand motivation, practice radical care in leadership, and much more,” she said. “It’s a great tool for any professional looking to level up!”
Making a Real Impact
For Kristine, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing real change in people’s lives.
“I’ve watched and heard from people that some of the BIG ‘Aha!’ moments have changed their lives, both at home and at work,” she said. “That means I get to KNOW that every time I share some of this content, I change the world a little bit for the better. It doesn’t get better than that!”
A Love for Community and Local Connections
As a Salem local, Kristine values the strong sense of community in the Willamette Valley.
“I love that the Willamette Valley feels like a small town with big-city amenities,” she said. “The community is also committed to supporting the many local businesses here.”
When she’s not leading workshops, she spends time at Corban University and enjoys networking at The Rec for chamber activities. For dining and coffee, she has a few favorites.
“I love Nagoya, Sassy Onion, Ritters, and Isaac’s Coffee,” she shared.
Final Words of Leadership Wisdom
When asked for one piece of leadership advice, Kristine’s response was simple but powerful:
“Leadership is ongoing. It’s about the journey, not the destination!”
For those looking to develop their leadership skills, Shattered Glass Leadership offers a variety of opportunities to grow, learn, and make meaningful connections.
To learn more about upcoming programs or to schedule a free discussion, visit www.shatteredglassleaders.com.
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