Melissa Defay

Melissa Defay is an accomplished entrepreneur, finance professional, mother, and life map coach based in Newton, Massachusetts. With more than 20 years of experience spanning accounting, finance, operations, and entrepreneurship, she has built a career defined by adaptability, leadership, and a commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for others. Melissa holds a master’s degree in management from Lasell University, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Her professional career includes more than a decade at Harvard University, where she progressed through increasingly responsible financial roles, followed by serving as Associate Director of Finance and Operations at Fayerweather Street School.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Melissa drew inspiration from her experience as a mother of a child with profound autism and transformed that personal journey into an entrepreneurial venture. She opened We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym in Wellesley, a sensory-friendly and inclusive facility designed to provide a welcoming environment for children of all abilities and their families. Over nearly four years, the business became a valued community resource, offering sensory-based activities, after-school respite care, inclusive events, birthday celebrations, and field trips. Its impact was recognized through multiple honors, including the 2024 Best of Boston for Children’s Indoor Play Gym, the Boston Celtics’ “Heroes Among Us” award, recognition from the SEED Corporation, and citations from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and State Senate.

Today, Melissa continues to combine entrepreneurship with service and personal development. She owns MD Journeys Inc., a transportation business, and works as a Life Map Coach with AANE, supporting young adults and adults in the autism and neurodiverse community as they pursue personal and professional goals. Her approach is grounded in resilience, forward thinking, empathy, and a strong entrepreneurial mindset, qualities she attributes in part to her family influences and life experiences. Whether working in finance, building a business, or coaching others toward their goals, Melissa brings a people-focused perspective, strong organizational skills, and a genuine desire to help individuals and communities thrive.