Melissa Armstrong

Melissa Armstrong uses the skills she learned at the University of North Georgia (UNG) to serve older adults in the northeast Georgia region.

Armstrong is the CEO of Legacy Link, an Area Agency on Aging in Oakwood, Georgia, just minutes down the road from where she earned her bachelor's degree in human services delivery and administration on UNG's Gainesville Campus.

In her role, she understands the importance of a thoughtful approach.

"Leadership revolves around empathy, compassion and understanding," Armstrong said. "In the society we live in, it's too easy to say you're not hitting your numbers and you have to go."

Armstrong learned her leadership skills from Dr. Pamela Elfenbein, who is now director of UNG's Institute for Healthy Aging. They still collaborate today as Elfenbein serves on Legacy Link's board of directors.

"Pamela Elfenbein has impacted my life in more ways than I could ever express, and I have watched her do the same for many students," Armstrong said.

Similarly, Armstrong aims to take care of those around her through a servant leadership approach. She said that mindset allows everyone to maximize their abilities. She also ensures her employees can rely on her for the right responses.

"If those around you don't trust you, why would they tell you before a mistake happens when you can actually fix it?" Armstrong said.

A teachable mentality has opened doors for Armstrong, who earned her Master of Social Work at the University of Georgia.

"I've been fortunate to have great mentors around me to help me grow even when I really didn't want to," Armstrong said. "They give you opportunities that make you uncomfortable."

Many of her proudest moments come when her employees go the extra mile. A client comes in needing assistance with a specific issue, but then her colleagues help them with multiple others. That is exactly what Armstrong said serving at Legacy Link requires.

"We're here to help, and the 'that's not my job' mentality doesn't fit in with our culture," Armstrong said.

Likewise, she consistently looks for ways to encourage her employees.

"If I'm not able to serve the people I'm working with, I have no business being a leader," Armstrong said.