ELMM
Engineers. Leaders. Moms. Mentors.
ELMM began with a simple idea: people are whole systems.
Not job titles. Not checkboxes. Not endless motion.
ELMM is a community of people building careers, stories, and cultures that actually work. Through coaching, writing, and shared conversation, we create space for thoughtful professionals to step back, think clearly, and design work that reflects the rest of their lives.
About ELMM
Our Mission
Our mission is to help people design sustainable careers that reflect their values, responsibilities, and aspirations.
Instead of asking individuals to contort themselves to fit rigid systems, ELMM helps people understand how their work, energy, relationships, and goals interact.
The aim is not constant acceleration.
It is meaningful direction.
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In engineering, potential energy is stored power. Capacity waiting for direction.
ELMM helps people translate that potential into intentional motion.
But not motion for motion’s sake.
Not burnout disguised as ambition.
Not a conveyor belt or pipeline that defines success for everyone.
Growth does not always mean “up.” Sometimes it means stabilizing, redirecting, or rebuilding systems that support both work and life.
What sets ELMM apart
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Our first core value is flexibility. We champion the engineering mindset of design, build, test. Stay curious and iterate.
Flexibility shows up in our offerings, our customizable workshops, and our commitment to keeping every conversation client centered.
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We are engineers.
That means we approach challenges systematically and stay curious about better solutions.
Our research and evidence based coaching tools bring engineering thinking to career development, leadership, and storytelling.
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We are committed to elevating underrepresented voices in STEMM.
Many of our clients face a 17 to 40 percent pay gap tied to gender, race, and intersecting identities.
Accessibility is not an afterthought. We design our pricing, publishing, and coaching with flexibility and fairness in mind.
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“Hard is hard.”
Being a working parent is hard, no matter your title, support system, or how great your kids are.
We help parents navigate real challenges such as mom guilt, boundaries, and priorities. Our goal is success in both personal and professional life.
Three out of ten women leave STEMM after having children. This stage can feel isolating, but it does not have to be.
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Peer support and advocacy are central to what we do.
Trusted partnerships strengthen communities and make nontraditional STEMM journeys visible.
Whether you are a mentor, mentee, or both, we help you build connections that matter.
At ELMM, mentorship is not a side conversation. It is part of the system.
How to Engage with ELMM
Wherever you’re starting from, there’s a way in:
Speaking | Bring ELMM to your team or organization
Coaching | Get support as you navigate what’s next
Press | Explore the ideas and stories shaping this work
Meet Cassie Leonard
Cassie (she/her) is an engineer, two-time bestselling author, and dedicated working parent with two decades of experience in technical leadership and executive coaching.
Through ELMM, she helps working parents and allies in STEMM grow bravely, connect wholeheartedly, and design careers that actually work.
Aerospace is at her roots. With degrees from UCLA and the University of Sheffield, she spent 16 years climbing the corporate ladder from entry-level analyst to Senior Aircraft Integration Leader. Today, she pairs that technical grit with mom skills to help clients reverse-engineer their own version of success.
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As Editor and Lead Author of Beyond the Pipeline: Redefining Value, Success, and the Future of Women in STEMM — Together, Cassie collaborated with women and allies worldwide to explore the realities of today’s technical workplaces. Beyond the Pipeline became an international bestseller after its launch in August 2025.
Her first book, STEM Moms: Design, Build, and Test to Create the Work-Life of Your Dreams, launched her into a global conversation about careers, caregiving, and redefining success in male-dominated fields.
Cassie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband Patrick and their two sons. When she is not coaching or writing, you will likely find her on a sand volleyball court, on a mountain bike trail, or exploring the wilderness on cross-country skis.
Conversations with Cassie
ELMM, LLC is a woman owned small business proudly located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (PNW).
