Leadership, at its core, is about connection and teamwork — something the new Executive Director of Leadership South Coast, Colleen Kennedy-Mello, understands both professionally and personally. Having first experienced Leadership South Coast as a participant, she now steps into her new role with a deep appreciation for the program’s impact and the connections she has built along the way.
To understand the significance of her new role, it is important to understand the organization itself.
Since its founding in 2004, Leadership South Coast has brought together emerging and established leaders from across the region for a 10-month immersive experience designed to engage, educate, and empower its members. Each month, participants explore a different facet of the South Coast, from economic development and government to basic needs. Through this program, participants gain not only valuable leadership skills, but also a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping the region.
With deep regional roots and a strong commitment to equity, this new role is both a professional milestone and a full-circle moment for Kennedy-Mello. Her dedication to community and leadership is grounded in years of hands-on experience.
“I have spent my entire career in nonprofit work, primarily in higher education, where I worked with students for about 16 years. Much of that time was spent supporting low-income and first-generation students, helping them access funding, writing their college admission essays, and navigating the path to higher education. My experiences at Endicott College, Bristol Community College, and Seven Hills Behavioral Health really shaped my commitment to expanding access to education in our region and strengthening our community,” Kennedy-Mello said.
Like many people, Kennedy-Mello faced unexpected challenges during Covid-19 — but those challenges led to new opportunities and experiences that shaped her career in meaningful ways.
“When Covid hit, I had to take some time off to be home with my daughter, who was just three at the time. When I returned to work, the Educational Opportunity Center at Seven Hills didn’t have the same hours due to grant changes. Around that time, I was offered a role in tobacco prevention through the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation Prevention Program. I felt passionate about public health, so I accepted the position as a Program Manager for the Southeast Tobacco-Free Community Partnership,” Kennedy-Mello said.
Through that position, she worked closely with nonprofits across the South Coast, building connections and supporting community initiatives in cities like New Bedford and Fall River. Although the role focused on tobacco prevention, it gave Kennedy-Mello the opportunity to reconnect with the community and deepen her understanding of the region. Around that same time, she enrolled in Leadership South Coast which was an experience that further expanded her network and enhanced her understanding of the region.
“I am also a proud Leadership South Coast alumna and former member of the Board of Directors. I went through the program four years ago, joined the board for three years, and now, in my new role, I feel more connected to the organization than ever,” Kennedy-Mello said.
Leadership South Coast’s LEAD program brings together 30 to 35 individuals each year from the nonprofit, private, and public sectors, creating opportunities for collaboration and connection across industries. During the program, participants are educated about the region’s most pressing challenges and are given insight into the work that is being done to address them. The program prepares participants to bring greater insight, awareness, and leadership to their organizations.
“Leadership South Coast allows people who would not normally cross paths in their professional work to meet, collaborate, and build relationships. For example, a banker might not work with someone at Seven Hills Behavioral Health, but through the program, they network and create connections that can support community initiatives — like a nonprofit fundraising campaign or volunteer effort. It is really a wonderful program for building relationships that strengthen our community,” Kennedy- Mello said.
Building those meaningful connections is especially evident during the program’s “basic needs” session, where participants hear from community leaders representing organizations such as the United Way of Greater Fall River, United Way of Greater New Bedford, and The Marion Institute. At the heart of the program is a commitment to experiential learning, brought to life through meaningful site visits.
During their most recent visit to GiftsToGive, an organization Kennedy-Mello describes as a powerful example of service leadership in action — participants saw firsthand how access to basic needs and wants such as clothing, books, and toys can transform the lives of many children in the South Coast area.
“The work that GiftsToGive does lifts our community up in many ways. Providing access to clothing, books, toys, puzzles, and games to children in the South Coast region who need it most is incredible. The volunteer program also teaches empathy and service leadership to both youth and adults. When you are there, you gain a deeper understanding of what it means to give back, which is an essential part of leadership. It is about seeing the bigger picture, uplifting others, and bringing awareness to community needs,” said Kennedy-Mello.
“I feel honored to have been part of the tour, and our Leadership South Coast members loved volunteering. While we were there, we helped to assemble distribution orders, and everyone in our group left with smiles on their faces, amazed by the sheer volume of items and generosity behind the organization. It is truly moving. Our group also had a conversation about GiftsToGive’s environmental impact and their extensive efforts to keep items out of landfill — which is just as inspiring.”
From her early days as a participant to her current role as Executive Director, Kennedy-Mello’s experience embodies Leadership South Coast’s mission: to educate, connect, and empower leaders across the region. Through partnerships with organizations like GiftsToGive, she and Leadership South Coast are demonstrating how real change begins with connection and action.
Story by (Marissa Sebastiao)