The relational career

In an era of non-linear careers, shifting identities, and project-based work, professional success increasingly relies on the quality of our relationships. 

With over 3,000 coaching sessions under her belt, Melissa Wong FRSA, founder of Coherence Studio, is an expert at guiding professionals in the art of building powerful relationships.

Through a mix of mindset work, brief teaching, and small-group conversation, she’ll share key perspectives for cultivating relationships  along with actual tactics to grow your network more strategically while maintaining authenticity. 

Designed to leverage the strengths of a membership community like the RSA, the format of a group workshop enables you to actually practice relationship-building by inviting participants to learn with one another.

Who should attend

This event is ideal for:

• Social change minded professionals navigating career pivots or non-linear or evolving career paths
  
• People who feel resistant to the more transactional nature of traditional “networking” but value connection
  
• People who want to build more meaningful, mutually supportive relationships in their work
  
• Anyone curious about how to invite more collaboration into their day-to-day in 2026
  

What participants can expect

Participants can expect to:

• Gain a new framework for understanding their career as a relational ecosystem
• Learn the ingredients for successful outreach
• Identify concrete, low-pressure ways to deepen, and sustain, connections within their networks 
• Ideate new ideas for collaboration or a connective side project 
• Leave with practical next steps for building a more connected, resilient professional network
  

Above all, this workshop invites participants to see their careers not as solo journeys to be taken alone, but as living systems co-created through meaningful relationships.e in the power of community to spark transformation. We can’t wait to welcome you.

About Melissa Wong FRSA

Melissa Wong is a spirited coach, community builder, experience designer, and facilitator who loves connecting people in thoughtful ways that grow our capacity for collective care. She is the founder of Coherence Studio, a work and life design coaching platform where she helps creatives build custom careers that center their unique gifts. She is the host of Coherence Podcast, a show for multi-passionate creative people who want inspiration and practical advice on how to sustain independent, values-driven work.

Prior to her work as a coach she founded New Women Space, a venue that housed over 700 gatherings by artists, healers, organizers, and small business owners; Hustle Fest, a summit for professionals looking to go freelance full time; helped creators at Kickstarter and Soundcloud launch; and has literally produced a circus. Melissa lives in Portland, Oregon with her partner, 2-year-old and 110 lb chocolate lab.

Taking part in RSA US online events

At RSA US, we host interactive online events designed to foster connection, dialogue, and community among Fellows. We use Zoom for these gatherings, and you’ll receive joining details by email after registering. Some events may be recorded, and by attending, you acknowledge that your name or image may appear in public recordings. If there are any accommodations we can provide to support you in participating fully, please reach out to the RSA US team at general.us@thersa.org and we will be happy to support in whatever ways we can.

Our online events, especially our monthly Virtual Salons, typically held on the third Thursday of the month, have been developed as a space to have meaningful, inclusive dialogue across geography and perspective, and are often supported by volunteer moderators. We invite all Fellows to join us in showing up at our events with care and curiosity, and encourage all participants to review our Rules of Engagement so that we can best support one another in these spaces. We also warmly welcome Fellows who are interested in co-creating an event with us to reach out via email at general.us@thersa.org.