Her Story
About Melina
Melina Ruggeri is a technical resource in Human Resources Information Systems, currently serving as an HRIS Senior Analyst for a property management company, a role she has held for the past two years. In this capacity, she oversees people and culture systems, including the HCM platforms that support payroll, benefits, compensation cycles, and recruiting, with particular attention to system integration that keeps data accurate and ensures information moves between platforms in a timely manner. Her specialization in HCM integration and data management reflects a career built on precision and reliability in handling sensitive workforce data.
Ruggeri's path into HR technology grew out of a non-traditional background rooted in accounting and emergency medical services. She earned an associate's degree in business administration and management as well as a certificate in emergency medical technology, both from Ivy Tech Community College, and she is a member of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) in her capacity as a business analyst. This blend of financial acumen, hands-on crisis training, and analytical skill has shaped her into a versatile problem solver on the IT side of human resources.
Beyond her technical contributions, Ruggeri credits much of her professional growth to the colleagues and mentors who have surrounded her throughout her career, drawing lessons from both their strengths and their missteps. She encourages young women considering careers in the male-dominated IT industry to know that they belong and can thrive there, and she holds authenticity as a guiding value in both her professional and personal life. Looking ahead, she views artificial intelligence as a meaningful opportunity to simplify everyday work, even as she acknowledges that knowing where to begin remains one of the field's more pressing challenges.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the people I've worked with and grown up around. Some showed me examples of what not to do, while others modeled qualities and skills I wanted to embody, whether they were coworkers or mentors.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to persist until I succeed.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women that anyone can do this work. The IT field is usually dominated by men, but women can succeed in it just as well.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see AI as a major opportunity in my field right now, particularly for streamlining day-to-day tasks. At the same time, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out where to start and choosing the right path forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One of the values I try to live by, both at work and in my personal life, is being authentically myself, in whatever way that looks like.
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