Leading with Unwavering Perseverance

For Melissa McKinney to run an international organization, she quickly learned that to be successful on such a scale, building collaborative relationships was essential and required untold hours of hard work, dedication, and trust.

EnviroCert International Inc. (ECI) is a non-profit organization that provides Professional Certifications in various environmental areas, including Stormwater and Water Pollution. With the administration of eight professional certifications and four more being developed, Melissa is the Chief Operating Officer for an organization that operates in over forty-four Countries and all fifty US States, with over 50,000 professional certifications over the past forty- six years.

ECI attributes Melissa’s dedication and unwavering perseverance to the company’s continued growth and expansion. She often brings ideas to each conversation that not only improve current procedures but also drive the organization in new directions. As a leader, she includes everyone in the conversation and listens to the different perspectives before making any decision. By listening and encouraging each individual, she found that she was able to allow employees and Board members to feel vested in the process. She attributes this approach to one of the primary components of the positive force behind our organizational culture.

Melissa learned early in her career while working in North Carolina factories the importance of recognizing an individual’s worth and value, which will expand their creative drive to be successful and self-motivated. Whether it was an assembly line process, developing technical manuals, or contract negotiations with diverse international governments, she understood that to be successful, one must approach each endeavor with a sense of pride and vision.

CEO of ECI, Robert Anderson, states, “Melissa is a key ingredient to the success and growth of ECI.” Robert adds, “You cannot say enough about Melissa’s innate ability to work hard and bring about a collaborative team effort. In this regard she is an old soul in her approach, and it is not a cliche; she never asks someone to do something she would not do herself; she genuinely leads by example. She works hard and she makes people around her better. The secret though is simple, she has a big heart, and she leads by example, and demonstrates every day that she cares about ECI, and her team.”

Melissa’s journey to success has been marked by persistence, resilience, and continuous learning. It wasn’t a linear path, but rather a series of ups and downs, challenges, and achievements. It took years of dedication, hard work, and learning from failures to reach where she is today. Success, for Melissa, is not just about achieving goals but also about personal growth, making a positive impact, and finding fulfillment in what she does.

“From my personal journey, I’ve learned that success is rarely achieved alone. Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, colleagues, and friends who believe in your potential and are willing to help you along the way,” she elucidates. “Be open to feedback, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and never underestimate the importance of perseverance. Remember that failure is not the opposite of success but rather a steppingstone on the path to it.”

Melissa advises every leader to stay focused on their goals, stay true to their values, and never stop learning and evolving. Armed with this mindset, Melissa has been taking the company to new heights.

The mission of ECI is to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability through certification programs and professional development opportunities for environmental professionals worldwide. ECI strives to provide accessible and rigorous certification programs that empower individuals to demonstrate their expertise, uphold high standards of environmental practice, and make a positive impact on the world around them.

As the Chief Operating Officer of ECI, Melissa is deeply committed to advancing their mission and driving the organization forward. “I work relentlessly to ensure that our certification programs are continually updated to reflect the latest industry standards and best practices,” she explains. “By collaborating with industry experts, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders, I seek to enhance the relevance and credibility of our certifications and ensure their alignment with evolving environmental challenges and priorities.”

In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization, Melissa is dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team. She strives to provide the ECI staff with the support, resources, and opportunities they need to excel in their roles and contribute to the success of the company’s mission, whether it’s implementing new technologies to streamline processes, expanding ECI’s global reach through strategic partnerships, or advocating for policies that promote environmental sustainability.

As for the future of ECI, the possibilities are vast. The organization may continue to evolve and innovate, expanding its offerings, reach, and impact on a global scale. This could involve launching new certification programs, developing partnerships with industry leaders, and pioneering emerging technologies to optimize the effectiveness and accessibility of its programs. As for Melissa, the pioneering leader’s ability to dive in and undertake new challenges and projects is part of what sets her apart. By embracing and remaining responsive to the evolving needs of professionals and industries, ECI can continue to lead the way in environmental certification, making a lasting difference in the world.