Her Story
About Melissa
Melissa Kelley is a business consultant for Carelon in the pharmacy healthcare industry. With 19 years of experience, she began her career right out of high school at a Target retail pharmacy, where she obtained her Pharmacy Technician Certification and has been certified as a CPHT for 18 years. She has worked in mail order at Humana and as a technician at Coram, where she was promoted to branch manager for Cincinnati, becoming the youngest branch manager and the second pharmacy technician to hold that position. She joined Carelon after being contacted via LinkedIn to help launch their new virtual pharmacy as one of the managers of the call center. Today, in her consulting role, she supports insurance product features including weight loss management with GLP-1s, as well as cost relief programs for high-dollar specialty medications. She also holds an associate's degree in radiology. Her notable achievement includes receiving the Impact Recognition Award from Elevance for her work in the CarelonRx call center.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melissa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a relentless commitment to growth. In my career, my education, and my personal life, I’ve never been content standing still. I believe that every experience is an opportunity to learn, evolve, and become a better version of myself.
Rather than simply preparing for the future, I strive to grow into it—anticipating what’s ahead, embracing change, and continuously adapting so I’m ready for the opportunities and challenges that come next. My greatest strength isn’t just what I’ve accomplished; it’s my willingness to keep learning, keep evolving, and keep reaching for more.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most impactful career advice I’ve ever received is that asking for help is never a sign of weakness—it’s one of the greatest strengths you can develop. No one reaches their full potential alone. Every mentor, colleague, and leader who shares their knowledge becomes part of your journey.
Growth happens when you’re willing to ask questions, seek guidance, and learn from those who have walked the path before you. Success isn’t built on having all the answers; it’s built on the humility to keep learning and the courage to invite others to help you become the person you’re capable of being.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The greatest advice I can offer to anyone entering the healthcare industry is simple: every time life knocks you down, get back up. Your career won’t be defined by the setbacks you face—it will be defined by how you respond to them.
You may hear “no” a hundred times before you hear the one “yes” that changes everything. Don’t let rejection discourage you. Instead, let it teach you. Ask yourself what you can improve, invest in your growth, and come back stronger than before.
Most importantly, don’t waste your energy on anger or disappointment. Every challenge carries a lesson, every obstacle builds resilience, and every setback prepares you for the opportunity that’s waiting ahead. Keep learning, keep growing, and never stop believing in the value you bring. Persistence has a remarkable way of opening the doors that talent alone cannot.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges facing the healthcare industry today is navigating constant change while operating under increasing scrutiny. As healthcare continues to evolve, success depends on the ability to remain adaptable, embrace innovation, and be open to rethinking traditional approaches to care delivery.
Those who are willing to challenge their own assumptions, continuously learn, and evolve alongside the industry will be best positioned to drive meaningful improvements and deliver exceptional outcomes for the patients and communities they serve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me every day are integrity, accountability, and honesty. I believe true character is revealed not when things are easy, but when no one is watching and the right path requires courage. Integrity builds trust, accountability drives growth, and honesty creates authentic relationships. These principles are the foundation of every decision I make and the standard I strive to uphold in both my personal life and my career.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.