Melissa's Career Track

I have been working on behalf of children and families since 1997. I started as a classroom teacher at a childcare center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was promoted into an administrative role to maximize enrollment and facilitate fundraising and parent participation at this non-profit, parent co-op center.

I moved on to become the Director of Child Care Center for the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC. This role expanded my skills in talent management, providing high quality customer service to children and families, and fostering the specialized culture of a high-profile, government facility.

I concluded my childcare administrative experience at Bright Horizons Family Solutions. As Regional Manager, I was responsible for 10 on-site, employer-sponsored childcare centers in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. With 10 direct reports and over 250 total staff, I promoted quality developmentally appropriate environments; ensured staff, family and client satisfaction; and delivered staff professional development. I oversaw combined budgets in excess of $10M, maximizing growth. I received a highly competitive, company-wide award for Outstanding Client Service in 2010.

I have served on early childhood education advocacy boards, both locally in Northern, VA and for the Commonwealth of Virginia. On the local board, I was Vice-President of Communications, writing and editing a monthly newsletter with professional development content for distribution to the association membership. On both boards, I led budget task force teams.

I founded Perceptive Parents and moved into a coaching role in 2011. As a coach, I work with individual families and small groups to assist parents in defining and prioritizing their family values, balancing work and life, understanding child development and adjusting child behavior expectations. My goal is to help parents gain more confidence and enjoy their roles in raising their children. Ultimately, I want people to be happier at home.   

I hold a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of Pennsylvania with Policy and Administration coursework completed at Wharton School of Business. I earned a BA in Psychology from Bucknell University, and am a Certified Professional Coach. I live in Clifton, VA with my husband and two children.