While Melanie likes to describe herself as a ‘recovering CFO’, she is known for being a highly accomplished Executive with over 25 years of progressive financial and strategic leadership experience. She is a trusted advisor to business owners with a proven record of strong leadership, team building and resilience.
After a stint in public accounting at a Big 4 firm, the bulk of her career was spent at Taylor Corporation and Davisco Foods International, two of the largest privately held companies in Minnesota.
As Corporate Controller of Taylor Corporation, Melanie was responsible for a portfolio of 85 domestic and foreign companies (mainly Canada, Mexico, Asia and Europe). During her tenure at Taylor Corporation, Melanie was on the integration teams of 35 separate company acquisitions.
As CFO for Davisco Foods International, Melanie helped the company owners through a sale of assets to Agropur, a $5B Quebec based dairy cooperative. She was retained by Agropur and tasked to lead the US finance and administrative restructuring and integration.
Melanie is currently the Executive Board Chair for United Prairie Bank, a thriving community bank in southern Minnesota. She is passionate about the bank, the communities and families they serve and maximizing value to the shareholders of this multi-generation, family-owned organization.
She is also proudly known for being an advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her son’s Autism diagnosis opened her eyes to the superpower of neurodiversity. She has been a keynote speaker spreading the idea of inclusion and acceptance for individuals with disabilities to more than 1,000 people at leadership conferences.
Melanie holds a B.S. from Minnesota State University- Mankato and was a CPA in her former life. She uses yoga, walking, reading and traveling to stay centered. Melanie is a proud mom, daughter, sister, friend, mentor, philanthropist and community volunteer. Her proudest volunteer work was her 3-year appointment to the State of MN Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) from 2017-2020. She was the Chair of SEAP for her final year.