Melissa Montgomery is the Founder of People by Design, a people-centered consulting, coaching, workshops, and speaking practice based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With more than 20 years of professional experience spanning state government, K-12 education, higher education, healthcare, small-business ownership, and the nonprofit sector, Melissa partners with individuals, families, teams, organizations, and communities to build cultures where every person feels seen, valued, and essential to something greater.

Melissa holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Education and Leadership Development from Louisiana State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Northwestern State University, and a Professional Certification in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. She is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and holds both the Brain Profiler Certification (BPC) and the Emotional Intelligence Assessor Certification (EQAC) through the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network. She serves on the board of the Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA) Louisiana and is an active member of SHRM National, Greater Baton Rouge SHRM, the American Business Women’s Association La Capitale chapter, and the St. George Chamber of Commerce.

Education has been a consistent thread throughout Melissa’s life and career. She began her professional journey at Yale University, where she was hired as a receptionist and promoted into the purchasing department within a year, learning early that showing up, contributing at every level, and being ready for opportunity are the foundations of a meaningful career. In the 1990s, she owned and operated a childcare center in North Carolina that she built from a home daycare into a thriving facility, shaped by listening to what parents truly needed and creating an environment where families and children all felt they belonged. She later spent ten years at University Laboratory School on the LSU campus, overseeing admissions and academic administration, while contributing to the school’s community life through theatre and show choir.

Melissa’s connection to education is also deeply personal. She grew up as a military child, attending schools across multiple states and experiencing firsthand the curriculum gaps and adjustments that follow students who move frequently. As a parent of a child with autism, she understands the importance of giving students, teachers, and support staff the resources they need to engage every learner in meaningful ways.

People by Design was founded in honor of Melissa’s parents, following their deaths in 2024, as a journey of hope, healing, and legacy. Her work is grounded in the belief that every piece matters, and that includes every student, every family, and every school in Baton Rouge.

Melissa lives in Baton Rouge with her husband, Lee. She is the proud mother of two sons, Chris and Aaron, and a daughter, Lauren, and welcomes her daughter-in-law, Sarah, to the family.