Melissa Mc Ilnay, MBA
About Melissa Mc Ilnay, MBA
Melissa Mc Ilnay, MBA, serves as the Senior Manager of Business and Finance Process Transformation at Kennametal, where she oversees relationships with third-party partners and leads a team of eight. With a background in accounting and finance, she has held various roles at Kennametal and previously worked at McGladrey.
Work at Kennametal
Melissa Mc Ilnay has been employed at Kennametal since 2013, holding various roles that have contributed to her expertise in finance and accounting. Currently, she serves as the Senior Manager of Business / Finance Process Transformation, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she manages relationships with third-party outsource partners across all financial disciplines, focusing on strategic oversight and contract management. Previously, she worked as the Senior Manager of Corporate Reporting, Accounting and Control from 2015 to 2022, and as Manager of Accounting & Reporting, Finance from 2013 to 2015. Her tenure at Kennametal has involved leading teams and driving efficiencies in financial processes.
Education and Expertise
Melissa Mc Ilnay holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Loyola University Maryland, where she studied from 2003 to 2006. She also earned a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh, completing her studies from 1998 to 2002. Her educational background has equipped her with a solid foundation in business and finance, which she applies in her current role at Kennametal. Her expertise includes financial process transformation, strategic oversight, and contract management.
Background
Before joining Kennametal, Melissa Mc Ilnay worked at McGladrey as a Senior Accountant from 2003 to 2006. This role provided her with valuable experience in accounting practices and financial reporting. Her career has been marked by a focus on improving financial processes and efficiencies, particularly in her roles at Kennametal, where she has engaged with corporate and operational accounting contacts to enhance transactional activities and monthly closing processes.
Leadership and Team Management
In her current role at Kennametal, Melissa Mc Ilnay leads a team of eight internal members. She provides leadership, guidance, and coaching to her team, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at achieving financial process improvements. Her leadership extends to overseeing Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable functions, where she leads initiatives to enhance working capital and cash management. Her focus on team development and operational efficiency is a key aspect of her management style.
Financial Process Improvement Initiatives
Melissa Mc Ilnay drives back-office accounting and finance efficiencies through simplification, modernization, and automation. She utilizes various tools, including SAP and OneStream, to enhance financial processes. Her initiatives aim to improve day-to-day transactional activities and streamline the monthly closing process. By focusing on automation and process improvement, she contributes to the overall financial health and operational efficiency of Kennametal.