Melissa Preast
About Melissa Preast
Melissa Preast is a Human Resources Business Partner at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she has worked since 2012. With a background in project management and experience across various sectors, she focuses on aligning technical objectives with effective leadership.
Work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Melissa Preast has been serving as a Human Resources Business Partner at Oak Ridge National Laboratory since 2012. In this role, she utilizes her project management skills to align human resources strategies with organizational goals. Her focus is on fostering relationships between technical objectives and personnel management. Prior to her current position, she worked as a Relocation Specialist at the same institution from 2008 to 2012, where she gained valuable experience in managing employee relocations.
Military Background
Melissa Preast has a significant military background, having served in the United States Marine Corps for over two decades. She held the position of Marine from 1982 to 2004, during which she was stationed in various locations both in the USA and internationally. She advanced to the role of First Sergeant from 2000 to 2004, where she developed leadership and management skills that have contributed to her subsequent career in human resources.
Education and Expertise
Melissa Preast studied at Tusculum College in Knoxville, TN, where she earned a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration and Management from 2016 to 2018. She furthered her education at Tusculum University, obtaining a Master of Arts in Human Resources with a focus on Talent Development. This academic background supports her expertise in human resources and organizational development.
Coaching and Leadership Development
In her professional role, Melissa Preast emphasizes the importance of coaching leaders to integrate strategic and diverse perspectives into their leadership styles. Her approach focuses on enhancing leadership effectiveness and fostering a collaborative work environment. This commitment to leadership development aligns with her experience in various sectors, including scientific research, government contracting, retail, and military contexts.
Professional Approach and Skills
Melissa Preast's professional approach is characterized by a strong emphasis on vision and creativity. She applies her project management skills to achieve organizational objectives, ensuring that human resources initiatives support broader goals. Her ability to build and maintain relationships between technical aims and personnel management is a key aspect of her work in human resources.