The merger between 4word and the Polished Network has created waves of excitement within our respective communities. To shed light on this exciting journey, we sat down with Melissa Harrison, Executive Director of 4word, and Catherine Gates, Executive Director of Polished. Their insights reveal the divine orchestration and deep collaboration behind this partnership.

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You can listen to this conversation with Melissa and Catherine on our podcast, Work, Love, Pray! Listen below or click here to find your preferred listening platform.

When you realized the merger was going to happen, what were your initial thoughts?

Melissa Harrison:
What struck me most was seeing the Lord’s hand at work in bringing us together. The journey began when I met Catherine Gates and Amy Cedrone, who were leading a summit for women in the faith and work space. They brought together leaders from over 20 organizations with a focus on collaboration rather than competition. Their humility and desire to build God’s kingdom, not their platforms, deeply resonated with me.

As the idea of merging 4word and Polished started surfacing in conversations, I was amazed by the spirit of unity present in every discussion. One day, Catherine and I had a phone call where we both felt an undeniable excitement about the possibilities this merger could bring. Looking back, it’s clear that God had been planting seeds for this moment for years, even in ways we couldn’t fully see at the time. I’ve been thrilled from the beginning and remain so as we prepare to walk forward together.

Catherine Gates:
I’ve believed in collaboration in the faith and work space for years. There are so many small nonprofits striving to make a big impact, and it’s always been evident to me that we are stronger together. This belief deepened when Polished merged with Women in the Marketplace in mid-2023. Around that same time, we started praying for the new executive director of 4word. Little did we know, Melissa was the answer to those prayers.

When Melissa came to the Faith and Work Summit, we immediately felt a connection. It became even clearer that Polished and 4word complemented each other perfectly. As we explored the idea of merging, every aspect—from our teams to our programs—seemed to fit together like pieces of a puzzle. I couldn’t be more excited about the stronger, unified community we are building together.

Catherine, why does the phrase ‘Complete, Not Compete’ resonate with you in the context of the merger?

Catherine Gates:
‘Complete, Not Compete’ is rooted in scripture’s call for the body of Christ to function in unity, with Christ as the head. If we are teaching women how to integrate their faith and work, we must model this unity ourselves.

Competing with one another in the body of Christ is as destructive as an autoimmune disease—it tears down instead of building up. By choosing collaboration, we demonstrate kingdom values, which are countercultural in today’s world.

When we embrace a spirit of unity, the possibilities for impact multiply. We can better serve women, refer them to each other’s programs, and create a broader support network. This mindset reflects God’s design for His people and allows us to serve more women with excellence.

Melissa, you’ve likened the merger to puzzle pieces coming together. Why does this analogy resonate with you?

Melissa Harrison:
Every step of this merger has felt like watching a puzzle come together. From the locations of our Community Groups to the unique strengths each team brings, everything fits seamlessly. For example, the Polished chapters and 4word Community Groups are often in complementary locations. Even within shared regions like Dallas-Fort Worth, we’re reaching women in different areas.

Our programs also complement each other perfectly. Polished Network Collaboratories align beautifully with 4word’s Cohorts, allowing us to expand offerings without duplication. Each new fit further confirmed that this merger was God’s plan. Together, we are truly better—like a completed puzzle revealing the full picture of God’s vision.

What has the Taste of 4word Roadshow meant for the merger?

Melissa Harrison:
The Roadshow has been a critical way to connect with women face-to-face. Announcements via email or social media are great, but nothing compares to spending time with the women we serve.

From Northwest Arkansas to Washington, D.C., and beyond, we’ve seen incredible enthusiasm from women, many of whom had never heard of 4word or Polished before. For example, at one event, 29 out of 30 attendees were completely new to our organizations! This Roadshow is a listening tour as much as it is a celebration—a chance to hear the needs of women in different cities as we pray about how to best serve them moving forward.

Catherine Gates:
For me, the Roadshow has been about reassuring the Polished community that this merger is a step forward. The Polished Chapters and Collaboratories will continue to thrive and grow stronger. Our expanded team and resources will allow us to better support women at every stage of their faith and work journey.

It’s also been inspiring to see how women from both communities are connecting with excitement and anticipation. We’re not just uniting two organizations; we’re building a nationwide network of women who are ready to make an even greater impact.

As we approach 2025, what would you say to a Polished or 4word member about the future?

Catherine Gates:
To Polished members, I say, get excited! God has been moving in powerful ways, bringing together resources and people to help you integrate faith and work with even greater confidence. We’re committed to continuing Polished’s programs and adding even more opportunities, including mentoring and leadership development.

The key is that we’re not rushing into changes. Both Polished and 4word communities will continue to operate as they have, while we listen and learn how to best serve you.

Melissa Harrison:
To 4word members, this is a time to celebrate. Our mission has always been to help women reach their God-given potential with confidence, and this merger allows us to do that on a much larger scale.

We’re also welcoming our sisters from Polished into our family with open arms. This is an opportunity to grow in unity and impact as we follow where God leads. Together, we are stepping into a new season of growth, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.

The merger between 4word and the Polished Network is more than a business decision—it’s a divinely guided partnership that exemplifies the power of unity in Christ. As the two organizations move forward together, the possibilities for impact are boundless. To women in both communities, the message is clear: You belong here, and together, we are stronger.

Melissa Harrison is a bilingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience in television and radio news. She has worked as a news anchor and reporter in six different television markets including WNBC in New York City and WFAA-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth. Melissa has also worked as a writer for ABC’s World News Tonight and as a morning news anchor for CBS Radio. 

Melissa founded PURE in New York City in 2004 where she served Christian women leaders through events and retreats until 2016. She also served women executives at the C-Suite level through the CEO Forum from 2021 until 2023.

Melissa is currently an Executive in Residence at SMU where she teaches Digital Media. She earned her master’s in Journalism from Columbia University and her bachelor’s in Spanish and Communications from Baylor. She also studied with Syracuse University at the Instituto Internacional in Madrid, Spain. Melissa speaks frequently at conferences and industry events across the globe including recently in Chile, Indonesia and The Philippines.

Melissa and her husband live in Dallas with their three young children.

Catherine Gates is Executive Director for Polished Network, a national non-profit that emboldens women in their faith and work. She is the author of The Confidence Cornerstone: A Woman’s Guide to Fearless Leadership. Catherine’s career journey has been diverse and circuitous, ranging from software development and consulting, to project management, marketing, sales and leadership training, to nonprofit leadership. She has been helping people integrate their faith and work since 2013. Catherine has contributed to several faith-and-work Bible studies, numerous YouVersion reading plans, and books from other authors including the iWork4Him and sheWorks4Him publications. She is a powerful speaker and frequent podcast contributor.

Catherine holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian Leadership. She is on the steering committee for the National Faith & Work Association (NFWA.org). She is passionate about helping people achieve more of their God-given potential with confidence by integrating faith into every area of life.