Malena Putnam
What makes Malena Wildly Capable?
Malena brings women together and helps them thrive personally, professionally, and collectively. Her commitment to growth is matched by her dedication to uplifting others. With a personality as vibrant as her bedazzled boots, she creates welcoming, fun, and inspiring spaces. Through her women’s networking community, Chicks in Charge, Malena has built a supportive ‘flock’ that values openness and belonging. – JULIE REISING
What does your typical day look like?
Start the coffee pot, then do yoga and meditate while it’s brewing. I journal and read while I sip my first cup. I write and work on creative projects for my marketing clients and personal goals. The rest of my day is filled with strategy sessions or productions, and I hit the gym three times a week for sauna and lifting. Evenings are for socializing, supporting community events, and walking with my husband or grown kids and my grand fur babies.
What makes you feel proud?
Raising three fabulous humans while also maintaining a creative career I love as a writer and marketing strategist. Helping small businesses and women find their voices and grow their visibility. Using my time, talent, and treasure to make the world a brighter place.
What’s the single biggest problem you’d like to solve in your community?
Oklahoma children not going to bed hungry. I’m very thankful for the work Infant Crisis Services and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma do to help kids who struggle with food insecurity. I’m for free school lunches due to the research on outcomes. Kids who are well fed can learn better and are more successful long term.
What keeps you up at night?
Finding creative solutions to problems, whether my own or those of my clients and the community at large.
Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?
My grandmother, Zola Mae, raised me, and she will always be the biggest influence in my life because she selflessly raised three girls after having already raised three boys. I’m inspired by her kind heart, resilience, and love for others.
What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?
The biggest obstacle in my life has been recovering from the “mother wound” I had as a result of an absent and then emotionally abusive biological mother. I let her hurt me a lot longer than I should have. I don’t regret getting to know her, but I should have let her go before I did. Peace is paramount.
What advice do you wish you could give your younger self? How might it have changed your course?
I think I’d tell myself to be patient and to trust myself. I didn’t trust my intuition as often as I should have. And I’d tell myself to invest early and often. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t invest in Apple and real estate in my 20s like I wanted to.
