Canopy Strategies

Rebranded in 2023 from Crim Dell Consulting.  

I provide people strategy and leadership coaching support to organizational leaders.

Founder/Chief Executive Officer

Organizations and teams win when they have a people strategy aligned to their business strategy and a plan on how to execute that strategy.  My passion is to translate that business strategy into specific people priorities that drive the actions of the leaders and HR professionals.

Knowing that strategies require execution and execution requires leadership, I also partner with the business leaders to identify any blockers that would prevent success.  As an advisor for imperfect leaders, my goal is to enable them to most effectively lead themselves and others.

Founder, People Strategist and Leadership Advisor

ITRex Group

Fractional Chief People Officer

Pitts Leadership Consulting

Sr. Consultant and Executive Coach

The Upside

The Upside is a community of top independent consultants who join forces to advance their businesses.

Consulting Member

Until There Are Nine®

Advisor

Vistage Worldwide, Inc.

Vistage Trusted Advisor

First Round Fast Track

Business Mentor

BetterUp

Leadership Coach

PSPS: Philadelphia Society of People & Strategy

Co-lead for PSPS Programming Committee (2022)
Prior PSPS LAN/SIG Co-Lead (2019-2020)

PSPS Board Member

Pistoia Alliance

Talent and Culture Consultant

Leadership Guide for women-led businesses focused on growth | I draw the map and bring the tools to execute your people strategy| Coach for leaders who want different, more, better | Perfect is Over-Rated series Author

💡 Leadership today isn’t about sprinting harder or lasting longer at all costs.
It’s about building the clarity, capacity, and resilience needed to succeed over the long game.

I’m Melissa Rider Carson, a leadership endurance coach, organizational advisor, and Fractional Chief People Officer.

I help leaders, teams, and organizations strengthen their leadership, culture, and systems—so they can perform sustainably, grow intentionally, and endure through whatever changes come next.

After more than 25 years in global HR leadership and talent strategy at companies like Accenture and EPAM, I founded Canopy Strategies to help leaders not just grow—but last.

Whether you’re scaling fast, rethinking your leadership model, or navigating messy but meaningful growth, I help you build the strategy, habits, and support you need to thrive for the long term.

What I Help Leaders and Organizations Do:
✅ Build sustainable leadership capacity at every level
✅ Align people, leadership, and business strategies for long-term growth
✅ Strengthen leadership teams through coaching, offsites, and advisory services
✅ Create cultures that drive performance without burning people out
✅ Support founders, executives, and HR leaders through seasons of uncertainty and change

Who I Work With: 
🔹 Founders and CEOs scaling fast—and feeling the stretch
🔹 Executive teams navigating complexity, pressure, and change
🔹 HR and People leaders ready to move from reactive to strategic
🔹 Organizations that care about impact, sustainability, and enduring success

Leadership endurance isn’t just about surviving.
It’s about leading with clarity, building what matters, and lasting through the long game.

If you’re ready to:

⏩ Strengthen your leadership and culture for sustainable success

⏩ Align your people and business strategies for real growth

⏩ Build a company (and a career) that can truly last

💬 Let’s connect.
📩 melissa@canopystrategies.co
🌐 www.canopystrategies.co

📝 Testimonials:  https://canopystrategies.co/testimonials
📨 Newsletter: From Above the Canopy https://fromabovethecanopy.substack.com/
🎧 Podcasts + Conversations: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2gNLTtSbi58OE3s8ChXsua?si=AP9Wp9knToWoU5IkZpt4rA&nd=1
📓 Blog: https://www.melissaridercarson.com/

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