Melissa Kloetstra (pronounced “Kloot-stra”), Vice President, Talent & Culture, Solventum

What’s your current role?

In short: Define how Solventum builds, develops and moves talent — and ensure our leaders deliver on it.

Long version: Set the enterprise talent strategy, build and govern core talent systems and processes, strengthen leadership and accountability, evolve our culture and help employees navigate change.

I have responsibility for talent, employee engagement, future of work, inclusion & belonging and change management.

Why did you join the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST and what roles have you held within the TRUST?

I formally joined the TRUST in 2026 and am on the Board and Leadership Development committee.

What has been your favorite part of the TRUST?

Meeting new people

What is the best career advice you’ve received? Or the best mentoring experience you’ve had?

Expect the best in others. Lead with giving people the benefit of the doubt. If we just seek to understand someone else’s position, we can often avoid escalating conflict and can get to resolution or clarity faster.

Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly influenced your leadership style or professional path?

My most life-changing moment didn’t come through my career. It came through my personal life but has dramatically shaped how I lead professionally. In 2015, my then seven year-old son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. He received a life sentence to insulin dependency and I in turn, had to learn to manage this disease and give him as normal of a childhood as possible. Very early in this experience I learned that I have to influence what I can influence, control what I can control and let go of the rest. That has guided my approach many times over in crisis and times of deep change (including COVID). It helps me lead others through turbulent times as well.

How do you maintain or improve your health and well-being?

One of the toughest lessons I have had to learn is to set boundaries. That is hard when you are accustomed to being a high achiever and you have a strong drive to deliver. However, I’ve learned that I am a better person to all the stakeholders in my life when I care for myself, get sleep, eat healthy and take “mental health moments.” That means I can’t be “on” 24-7.  I have to be ok with telling the people around me what they can and cannot expect of me.

What is something that not many people know about you? 

I have lived in two other countries and would highly recommend living abroad at some point in your life.

Words of wisdom to live by?

My favorite quote is by Nelson Mandela:  I don’t fail, I learn.