Melissa Allen’s progress-driven, global perspective is strongly reflected throughout her Junior League, professional and community service. Melissa’s leadership style is rooted in compassion and altruism; qualities that led to her being named in the Financial Times list of the United Kingdom’s 50 Leading Lights. Melissa champions diversity and inclusion as the Straight Ally Sponsor of Breathe, KPMGs LGBT Network, and demonstrates a natural talent for inspiring others to volunteer and make a positive impact in their community.

Melissa’s work with the Junior League of London (JLL) began in 2010, and just 18 months later she was awarded JLL Volunteer of the Year, a title that inspired new endeavors within the League, ultimately leading her to serve as President. From the beginning, Melissa demonstrated passion and a skill for managing volunteers; a talent which played a crucial role in the success of the League’s first ever All Service Day, a community initiative which provides over 100 volunteer opportunities throughout London in just one day. Melissa’s involvement and achievements only grew and advanced as she took on a variety of leadership roles throughout the League.

In 2018 as President-Elect, Melissa actively led a membership engagement initiative with her management council focused on ‘positivity, visibility, and connectivity.’ Their campaign resonated, leading to increased member participation rates in both volunteer shifts and fundraisers, higher email communication open rates, and the highest dues renewal rate achieved in the last five years. In 2019, as JLL’s President, Melissa launched a 35th anniversary program, complete with an accompanying social media campaign.

Professionally, Melissa is a lead partner with KPMG, where she focuses on finance and risk transformation for large, global clients. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University, and a Master of Science in Leadership and Strategy from London Business School.