Melissa Perkins believes small organizations’ nimbleness makes them uniquely suited to pivot and address the challenges of the communities they serve. Over the last 35 years, she has had the privilege of serving both education and nonprofit organizations in various financial roles. These opportunities have given a window into the unique obstacles nonprofits commonly face, as well as the best practices that ensure institutional longevity.
After years at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Louisville, Melissa joined the ACS finance staff in January 2022, and it felt like coming home. Over the last four years on the ACS finance team, Melissa helped streamline and modernize the accounting process. Now, as Director of Finance, she oversees the organization’s financial operations, including budgeting, grant and fiscal reporting, daily accounting operations, and long-term financial planning.
As a University of Cincinnati graduate, Melissa credits her liberal arts education with giving her a specific set of skills that help her see connections and patterns others miss. She believes a deep understanding of people and past events can shape the present and future, increasing relevance and maximizing stewardship of resources.