Melissa Kaan
Melissa Kaan is the CEO and founder of NOVA Integrated Facility Management (NOVA IFM), a national facility management company she recently launched after nearly 14 years of experience in the industry. Throughout her career, Melissa has built a reputation for turning complex operational challenges into streamlined, efficient solutions while delivering measurable results. She combines strategic insight with compassionate, servant-style leadership, fostering environments where teams feel supported, empowered, and motivated to excel. Her leadership approach ensures that clients and vendors alike experience consistent, high-quality service, collaboration, and trust.
Melissa’s professional philosophy centers on servant leadership, compassion, and equality. She emphasizes a customer-centric approach, honesty, and collaboration, preferring to engage with vendors and clients as colleagues rather than competitors. She is committed to sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and creating a culture of transparency rather than gatekeeping. Melissa believes in leaving every environment and relationship better than she found it, focusing on long-term impact and meaningful results for both people and organizations.
Melissa began her career as an entry-level employee and steadily advanced through supervisory and management roles, earning a promotion to management in 2018. Encouraged to explore sales, she attended the Dale Carnegie School for Relationship Selling, which she credits with transforming her career trajectory. Drawing on this experience and her extensive industry expertise, Melissa launched NOVA IFM to provide innovative, client-focused facility management solutions nationwide, combining operational excellence with a people-first approach.
• Certificate of Acheivement, Relationship selling
• University of Connecticut - Fine and Studio Arts
• Suffolk County Community College - Journalism
• Shooting Star Award
• Certificate of Acheivement
• Human Relations Champion Award
• Leadership Award
• Sales Application Award
• Opportunity Sales Award
• Sales Talk Champion Award
• Unique Selling Proposition Award
• Certificate of Distinguished Achievement - Young Poet's Mentoring Program
• Certificate of Merit - Young Poets Mentoring Program
• IFMA
• International Society of Female Professionals
• Connex
• RFMA
• International Thespian Honor Society
• Retail Design Institute
• President, North Patchogue Fire Department Auxiliary
• Membership Committee Member,
Restaurant Facility Management Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to blending strategic thinking with compassionate leadership. By consistently striving for excellence and focusing on making a meaningful difference each day, I am able to achieve results while positively impacting the people and organizations I serve.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stay actively involved, build and maintain a strong network, and continually pursue education and professional growth. I’ve also learned the importance of being a great leader and mentor to others, while always approaching colleagues and clients with compassion and understanding. These principles have guided me in creating meaningful impact and fostering positive relationships throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be generous with knowledge, empower your teams, practice servant leadership, be honest with clients and collaborators, and prioritize humanity alongside hard work.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is expanding my reach to connect with more businesses and individuals, ensuring they are aware that I am available to support them with their specific needs. This presents an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, demonstrate the value I can provide, and tailor solutions that truly make a difference for those I serve.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life include determination, positivity, and respect. I am committed to achieving my goals through perseverance and hard work, while maintaining an optimistic outlook that allows me to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. I prioritize continuous learning, staying eager to expand my knowledge and skills, and I approach every interaction with others with respect and consideration, fostering collaborative and meaningful relationships.