Meet our Leadership

Melissa Curmi

Founder & Head Executive Coach

With over 20 years of professional experience, Melissa is a seasoned Transformation and Risk Leader. Most recently, Melissa served as a Managing Director at Ernst & Young, where she led large-scale strategy, finance and risk transformations within the Financial Services Advisory practice.

Professionally, Melissa is known for three things:

  • Clients: US Based Global Financial Institutions

  • SME: Enterprise Strategy, Finance and Risk

  • Engagements: Multi-year Transformations

Beyond client engagements, Melissa held several internal leadership positions during her tenure, including four years as a Senior Counselling Connect Leader for over 80 people, from Staff through to Senior Managers.

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Melissa has called New York home for the past 17 years. She holds a degree from The University of Melbourne and has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia since 2007. She is also a certified professional coach, accredited with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Beyond her executive career, Melissa brings her creativity to life as the founder of What Should We Bake—a baking brand designed to support executive function development in kids aged 4-10. She also publishes Aprons & Tutus, a local NYC parenting newsletter, and is the author of two books, including her latest children’s story, Allegra Bakes a Cake.

Our Approach

It’s practical, personalized, and results-driven.

We combine strategic coaching with real-world consulting experience to help you move with clarity, confidence, and momentum.

Initial Strategy Session

Your personalized kick-off session:

  • Define what success looks like

  • Clarify strategic, actionable goals

  • Map your challenges and opportunities

Weekly Office Hours

Fast, focused check-ins:

  • Stay aligned and on track

  • Navigate real-time challenges

  • Gain momentum on your key goals

TESTIMONIALS

  • "I found Melissa after I was skipped over for promotion in June 2024. Having Melissa as a consistent, unbiased sounding board outside of my team and firm helped me reset my thinking. Through our sessions we identified who was blocking my promotion and why - but more importantly she gave me the tools and confidence I needed to get agile promoted in December 2024.

    — Jonathan, Senior Consultant (Oliver Wyman)

  • "We spent 15 minutes every week getting real about the tough stuff - no fluff. Melissa helped me navigate how to lead without a title and effectively demonstrate to Partners that I can operate at the level above me. It’s changed the way I show up at work

    — Brittany, Manager (Deloitte)

  • "I was considering switching practices but didn’t want to derail my progress. Melissa helped me ask the right questions, position myself well internally, and make the move with confidence.

    — Andy, Senior Consultant (PwC)

  • "Office Hours was a game-changer in helping with my decision to leave consulting. Melissa helped me understand and articulate my value to industry roles and navigate the transition or second-guessing myself. We continue to work together even after I left consulting in June 2024"

    — Meghan, VP (Goldman Sachs)

  • "Before Office Hours, I wasn’t sure whether to stay in consulting or pivot to industry. Melissa helped me map my options clearly and make a decision I felt confident in—for the first time in months"

    — Jolene, SVP (Citi)

  • "“I was spinning between client work, internal initiatives, and wondering if I was doing any of it right. Having 15 minutes each week to zoom out, prioritize, and reset made all the difference"

    — Anna, Senior Consultant (PwC)

  • "Melissa helped me take a step back and build a long-term plan instead of jumping from project to project. I finally feel like I’m steering my career, not just surviving it. Having the 15 minute check-ins every week, really kept me accountable and on track with my overall goals"

    — Bethanny, Senior Creative Director (Wieden+Kennedy)