Mel Pledger Honoured with Apex of Achievement Award in Leadership Excellence 2026

This work has evolved into The SQ Leader Shift, a structured framework designed to bring Spiritual Intelligence into the everyday realities of modern leadership. It supports individuals and teams in reaching insight and clarity sooner before translating that understanding into practical, lasting change.

The foundations of Mel’s work are also reflected in DNA Light Up, where DNA represents Discover, Ngage and Activate. The three experiential coaching sessions guide people from thinking, through feeling, towards knowing. The intentional use of “Ngage” reflects Mel’s invitation to turn attention inward rather than continually responding to external influences, helping people recognise their own internal signals when approaching relationships, decisions, discernment and resilience.

The concept developed from Mel’s own journey of learning to recognise her intuitive signals and separate them from learned or expected responses. Over time, she expanded the approach from adults through DNA Light Up to children through The Young Lights Adventure, a cartoon and workbook series for schools, and into business through Light Up for Leaders.

Behind this professional journey is a deeply personal understanding of adversity and resilience. Mel lost her father suddenly when she was four, on the same day she met her newborn younger sister, and lost her mother to cancer at sixteen. She and her sister subsequently went to live with relatives, where they experienced abuse. These experiences led Mel to assume responsibility from a young age and later fuelled her determination to understand herself, build resilience and create a future that was not defined by her past.

Later experiences within a controlling and abusive marriage prompted further reflection on patterns established during childhood. A significant turning point came when Mel realised that personal development was not about becoming a “better person”, but about reconnecting with who she had been before difficult experiences and expectations had shaped how she believed she needed to be.

That understanding became central to her work: helping others recognise their strengths, reclaim their authority and lead more authentically.

Mel has also explored these themes through two published books. I’m Still Standing, first published in 2012, candidly shares her experiences of trauma, abuse and adversity while demonstrating that survival does not have to represent the end of someone’s story.

Her second book, B.O.L.L.O.C.K.S. to That, I Choose to Shine!, published in 2017, brings together true stories from people who used DNA Light Up while facing significant personal challenges. Although their circumstances differ, both books share a central message that the past does not have to determine the future and meaningful change remains possible.

This philosophy also formed the heart of Mel’s TEDx talk, where she encouraged people to recognise themselves as unique individuals rather than diminishing their identity in an effort to fit in. Her message extends beyond individual transformation to future generations, encouraging adults to demonstrate to children that individuality matters and helping them grow into more self-aware and purposeful leaders.

Within her executive coaching, Mel applies these principles through an individualised partnership rather than a one-size-fits-all programme. Her work combines candid reflection, constructive challenge, accountability and a strong focus on outcomes. Leaders are supported in recognising patterns that may be limiting progress, strengthening discernment and turning insight into practical decisions and behaviours.

The aim is ultimately for clients to become less dependent on external reassurance, more confident in their judgement and better equipped to communicate and act consistently. Rather than creating dependence on coaching, Mel seeks to strengthen each individual’s ability to make purposeful decisions long after the engagement has ended.

Looking ahead, Mel wants to help establish a new standard of inspired leadership in which humanity, intuition and genuine connection stand alongside strategy and performance. She also hopes to see the principles developed through DNA Light Up reach younger generations through education.

“My vision is to help establish a new standard of inspired leadership. One in which humanity, intuition and genuine connection stand alongside strategy and performance.”

Her ambition is for The SQ Leader Shift to become a valuable framework for leaders seeking to pursue deeper purpose while bringing their people with them. Beyond the business world, Mel’s long-term vision is for the principles behind DNA Light Up to become part of the school curriculum, giving young people the opportunity to understand who they are before external expectations begin defining who they believe they should be.

Receiving the Apex of Achievement Award in Leadership Excellence 2026 comes at a significant point in Mel’s journey, as conversations around Spiritual Intelligence begin to gain greater visibility.

For Mel, the recognition provides another opportunity to bring SQ, intuition and purpose-led leadership into wider conversations and encourage leaders, organisations and educators to consider what becomes possible when people trust themselves, embrace their individuality and lead from a clearer understanding of who they truly are.

Contact

Mel Pledger
Award-winning Executive Coach, TEDx Speaker, creator of Light Up for Leaders

Phone: 07752 469718

Email: mel@melpledger.com

Website: www.melpledger.com