Melanie is a CPA with 35 years of experience in public accounting in the assurance area serving nonprofit organizations and privately and publicly held companies in the manufacturing, distribution, technology, professional services, and restaurant industries. Melanie began her career with BDO USA in 1987 in Orlando. In 2000, she was one of three partners that acquired the Orlando practice from BDO and became an Alliance Member firm and a founding partner of Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP, where she served as the Director of Assurance Services. In 2015, the firm merged back into BDO USA and Melanie assumed the role of BDO’s Office Managing Partner for Assurance Services in Orlando. She has a long history of community service and has held various leadership positions in numerous nonprofit organizations in the Central Florida area. Currently, Melanie is responsible for the firm’s relationship with CPA Alliance member firms in the Southeast region, including building their connections with the 12 BDO offices in the same footprint. Melanie obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Central Florida.

In her off hours: I enjoy yoga and attending yoga retreats in other countries, as well as biking, swimming, watching tennis and football (college and NFL) and traveling with my husband, David. We have two Pomeranians, Layla and Fergie.

Unique fact: I am a former amateur triathlete and played various Disney characters (including Chip and Dale), performing in shows, parades and meet-and-greets for Walt Disney World while in college.