Melissa Terito: Leadership Lessons - Classroom to Boardroom

Step into the Pivot

Step into the remarkable journey of Melissa Terito, a dynamic guest who transitioned from a fulfilling teaching career to become a partner at a top CPA firm. In this episode, we explore how she navigated her career pivot, embracing the internal nudges that drove her towards a new path in accounting. With a deep appreciation for the skills acquired through her teaching background, Melissa discusses the unique ability to translate complex ideas into relatable concepts, a skill that serves her well in the financial industry.
Listen as she shares candid insights on the fears and challenges associated with her transitions, from how mentorship played a crucial role in her development to her newfound leadership aspirations. As she reflects on the importance of resilience, discipline, and physical well-being, Melissa inspires us to not only seek personal growth but to also mentor those who follow us. Join this engaging conversation, highlighting how embracing changes can lead to significant personal and professional fulfillment.
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Guest Bio:
It all begins with an idea. Melissa, or Missy to her friends and family, is the woman with all the ideas. Melissa attended Louisiana State University and graduated in 2005 with a degree in Education. After four years of teaching high school math, she returned to LSU part-time to see if she would enjoy the accounting profession. Something about it stuck and she resigned from teaching.

She was hired at Faulk & Winkler as an intern in the pension department, completed the courses to sit for the CPA exam, and received her CPA designation in 2012. Melissa’s brief career in the classroom was invaluable in positioning her to be a mentor in the CPA profession as well as giving her the communication skills to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues. In 2020, Melissa started a podcast – Louisiana Ladies – wherein she speaks to local (mostly) female members of the Baton Rouge community. Many are entrepreneurs, some are domestic engineers, all are inspiring. She chats with them about their story, it is lighthearted and fun, and has a steady following with over 20k downloads.

In 2022, Melissa began her public speaking debut about Boundaries in the Workplace, something she is very passionate about, and has curated perfectly over the years. Melissa resides in Baton Rouge with her husband Patrick and their two dogs. They appreciate the local culture and flavor of the city, especially the culinary offerings. Away from the office, she enjoys reading, riding her Peloton, playing pickleball, traveling, and spending time with her five adorable nephews.

Connect with Melissa:
Website, LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:
Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants
Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing
SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Chapters

1. Welcoming Melissa Torito (00:00:00)

2. The Itch for Change: Reflecting on Teaching (00:03:35)

3. Embracing the Unknown: Starting Accounting (00:10:35)

4. The Challenges of Transitioning Careers (00:19:35)

5. Finding Support: The Role of Mentorship (00:29:35)

6. Continuing Growth: Future Aspirations (00:37:35)