Today’s member spotlight shines on the devoted Melissa Conklin!
Melissa Conklin is a dedicated professional with a strong educational foundation and diverse career in interior design and technical training. After graduating from Chenango Valley High School in 2008, she earned an associate degree in interior design and environmental design sequence from SUNY Broome Community College, where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She continued her studies, graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from Cazenovia College in 2012.
Melissa has been a valued employee at Avangrid since 2012. She started as a customer service representative at NYSEG, quickly progressing to the Back Office Credits and Collections Department. Her career trajectory then led her to the role of technical trainer for Customer Service, then to lead analyst for Emergency Preparedness. For the past two years, she’s thrived as a project manager in Technical Training, overseeing projects related to Electric Operations, Gas Operations, and Customer Service.
Among her notable achievements is her key role in the academic partnership with SUNY Broome Community College’s Line Workers program, which saw 21 students graduate in 2024. Currently, she is on a secondment assisting the Learning and Development team with program management and facilitation of leadership programs.
Outside her professional life, Melissa is committed to volunteer work. She served as a volunteer firefighter with the Chenango Fire Company from 2008 to 2023. In 2022, she became a certified foster parent and has since cared for a 17-year-old young man and a newborn baby boy, both thriving under her care. While she has stepped back from active firefighting to focus on her family, she remains involved in the department’s business operations, serving on the board of directors and as assistant treasurer.
Melissa also volunteers with A Room to Heal, serving on the board and program planning committee, and has led room projects to create healing spaces for children with medical challenges in Broome County. At Bridgewater Church Conklin, she leads the guest services team, serves as stage designer, and volunteers in children’s ministry. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Broome Leadership Institute, active in its alumni association and board of directors, where she promotes education and networking, connects alumni with community organizations for leadership roles, and organizes events to spotlight the community.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking, with her favorite hike being the Labyrinth and Lemon Squeeze in New Paltz, NY. An avid animal lover, she has two dogs and loves to travel, having visited states along the East Coast, Alaska, Washington, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Grenada, and even participated in a mission trip to Guatemala.
Join us in congratulating Melissa in today’s well deserved member spotlight!
