Catherine Melville poses elegantly for a professional photo
Catherine Melville’s journey from a psychology student to a leading finance expert and coach showcases the profound impact of UBCO’s Bachelor of Management program. As a 2013 alumna, Catherine leveraged her education to launch Cultivate + Evolve Financial, a firm specializing in mortgage and investment financing. Her passion for personal development also led to the creation of Cultivating Conversations, where she provides professional coaching and consulting. Recognized multiple times as a Woman of Influence, Catherine’s career reflects her unwavering commitment and expertise. With a vision to expand her coaching practice and mentor budding entrepreneurs, Catherine’s story is one of ongoing growth and meaningful impact.
Q: What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
A: I started at UBCO in Psychology with plans to pursue neuroscience. However, I soon realized that my skills and career goals were better aligned with business. I transferred to the Bachelor of Management program in 2010 and found that the small class sizes, close-knit community of students and professors, and the program’s extensive resources were a perfect fit. The intimate learning environment, coupled with a wealth of educational tools and real-world business connections, confirmed that I was in the right place.
Q: What have been your biggest takeaways from the program?
A: One of the key takeaways was the importance of teamwork. Collaborating effectively with others is essential for overcoming workplace challenges and achieving success. The program’s case studies and cohort-based activities provided practical experience in applying strategic skills. Exposure to various business disciplines such as marketing, accounting, HR, strategic planning, and finance gave us a comprehensive understanding of the diverse skills required to build a successful business.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of the program so far?
A: The most rewarding aspect was building strong relationships with peers and learning from seasoned educators with extensive real-world experience. The career opportunities and partnerships that emerged from the program were also incredibly valuable.
Q: What advice or insight would you give a prospective student considering the program?
A: Be ready to work hard and stay open to collaboration. Engage actively in discussions, challenge ideas, and be prepared to tackle obstacles. This program offers a well-rounded education with skills across all management levels, practical business cases, valuable connections, and the chance to learn from top educators.
Q: What is your current occupation and how did you get there?
A: I own two companies: Cultivate + Evolve Financial and Cultivating Conversations.
My journey began with CE Financial, a private lending company I started in 2008/2009. During a challenging economic period, CE Financial raised capital and provided private loans to Canadians, which allowed me to gain invaluable experience in the mortgage space and sparked my interest in furthering my career in this direction. Managing half a million dollars in private funds fueled my passion for finance.
As I entered my final year at UBCO, I pursued a Mortgage Professional Certification through UBC Sauder, completing it alongside my degree. Upon graduation, I joined a local brokerage I met at the Graduate Gala. This opportunity led to working with a high-producing brokerage in the Lower Mainland, and in 2015, I launched my own company, Cultivate + Evolve Financial. This firm specializes in financing homes, investments, and business locations. Over the past nine years, I have been recognized as a Women of Influence five times, received multiple awards from MPC, and served as a director for the federal association MPC for six years.
In recent years, I expanded my focus to personal development and communication, leading me to pursue a coaching designation. I completed this in 2023 and 2024 and am now a recognized member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) with an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) designation and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) training. My other company, Cultivating Conversations, is dedicated to professional coaching and consulting, helping individuals reach their full potential through the Erickson Methodology and ICF principles.
Q: Do you have any career advice you’d like to share?
A: Don’t be afraid to take risks and embrace failure as part of the journey. Many people choose safer paths with guaranteed paychecks, but entrepreneurship offers boundless opportunities. This program will equip you with the skills and freedom to turn your business ideas into reality. Embrace failures as learning experiences that bring you closer to success. Keep pushing forward—your ideas can make a significant impact.
Q: What are your future career goals?
A: I aim to continue growing my coaching practice and expanding my mortgage company to assist more individuals. I plan to develop courses on lending, finance, personal development, and business growth, leveraging my skills to help others thrive. Additionally, I hope to support emerging entrepreneurs with seed funding and mentorship, contributing to the development of future leaders.
Q: Do you have anything else you would like to share?
A: UBCO is an exceptional community of educators and students who often become like family and friends. My time there was transformative, and I am grateful for the lasting relationships and business partnerships I’ve developed. If you decide to join this program, I’m confident you will find it to be a highly rewarding experience.
Catherine Melville smiles brightly for a photo