Grateful Connections is a professional development community for women who are ready to grow in their work, in their confidence, and in their relationships with other women who get it.

This isn’t about handing out business cards or showing up just to be seen. It’s about building something together. Whether you work for yourself or within another organization, whether you’re just starting out or have been doing your thing for years — if you’re looking to grow with purpose and connection, this is your space.

About Grateful Connections

Founder of Grateful Connections Malinda Leonard sitting on a couch, with a plant in the background

Founder

Malinda Leonard

Hi, I’m Malinda — founder of Grateful Connections, lifelong connector, and professional cheerleader for women in business and beyond.

As a true extrovert, when I decided to launch my personal branding photography business, I couldn’t wait to get out of the house and start networking. But I quickly realized most networking groups were super exclusive- they only allowing ONE member per business category. And since there are plenty of photographers nearby (and every group already had one), I thought… “Hey, I’ll just create my own!” That’s where my mission of collaboration over competition was born.

Once I started bringing women together, I realized this is where my heart truly lives. While I still love photographing women business owners for their websites and social media, nothing fills my soul like creating a space where women feel genuinely connected, supported, and seen. Grateful Connections goes beyond surface-level networking- it’s an all-inclusive community for women in business (all business categories welcome!) with intentional gatherings, guided conversation, and meaningful education so no woman has to build her business alone.

I look forward to building a relationship and connection with you. Don’t hesitate to connect on social media, or message me here to schedule a call and learn more!


Grateful Connections logo

Our Community Focus Areas

Grateful Connections is built around intentional growth- for your business, your confidence, and your relationships. Every event, workshop, speaker topic, and Circle conversation is rooted in these key areas:

  • Professional Development & Business Growth

  • Meaningful Connections & Community Building

  • Inner Growth, Clarity & Confidence for Women in Business

  • Client Experience & Relationship Building

  • Gratitude, Giving Back & Purpose-Driven Success (woven throughout everything we do)

Inside Grateful Connections, you'll find:

Two women smiling at a networking event, looking at a phone together, illustrating community and connection

True community

Where encouragement, collaboration, and authenticity come first

Two women sitting in a conference room, applauding a speaker, illustrating practical guidance at a workshop

Practical guidance

Real-world education on sales, strategy, visibility, and mindset

Woman in business suit sitting on a couch, smiling while typing on a laptop, representing meaningful growth and professional development

Meaningful growth

Both personally and professionally

Support that sticks

Through workshops, events, masterminds, and genuine friendship

Three women raising wine glasses at a social event, two more partially visible, showing support and community
Count Me In

A Moment of Connection

A thoughtful note from Grateful Connections, shared about twice a month, with reflections, upcoming events, podcast updates, and community news.

Let’s grow — together.

Whether you’re here to connect, to learn, to be inspired — or all of the above — I hope you’ll find what you need inside this community.

You belong here.