Melanie Ballestas is a seasoned assurance principal with more than 20 years of experience serving a broad range of nonprofit organizations, including human service agencies, membership and health care organizations, community and private foundations, and educational institutions.
Ballestas has extensive experience auditing nonprofit entities subject to the compliance and reporting requirements of Uniform Guidance and the State Single Audit Act. Her work involves helping organizations meet federal and state grant, financial and operational requirements and maintain internal controls and financial management practices.
What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far?
Advancing to principal in 2023 has been my biggest professional accomplishment to date. This demonstrated my resilience through the pandemic, the challenges of being a working mom to an amazing son with special needs, and our legacy firm’s integration into CLA.
I am grateful for the continued support of past and present members of the CLA family.
What’s the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally?
My next major professional goal is to lead CLA’s nonprofit practice in Connecticut. I am fortunate to have exceptional mentors guiding our team, and I am committed to learning from every opportunity they provide. While there is more to master before that time comes, I look forward to future growth and possibilities.
What’s one of the biggest professional challenges you’ve overcome?
Balancing a fulfilling career while raising a teenager with special needs has been my greatest challenge. Working mothers often master the art of juggling multiple responsibilities, but navigating the additional complexities of special needs requires an even greater level of adaptability and resilience.
I’m thankful to have a supportive family to help me thrive.
How are you involved in the community?
Serving nonprofit organizations is deeply meaningful to me, both professionally and through volunteer service. I serve on the executive committee of the Miracle League of Northern Connecticut and the audit committee for The Bridge Family Center.
However, the experience that has brought me the most joy is volunteering as a summer camp counselor with Jett Foundation’s Camp Promise.