Melissa Seguin is not only a pivotable role model throughout our firm, but also in the local Grand Rapids community. While our Tax Principal is well known by our clients and community members alike, there are many sides to Melissa; both inside and out of our office. On this month’s Staff Spotlight, we introduce our one and only Tax Principal, Melissa Seguin!
While growing up in Alpena, Michigan Melissa discovered an organization that allowed her to identify with her passion for volunteer work at a very young age. She began volunteering her time at the age of 14, a freshmen in high school, at a national organization called “Youth Volunteer Corps”. Through her work in this organization she was able to volunteer with Senior Meals on Wheels, restore an island park, and so much more!
During this time Melissa also volunteered as a candy striper with her local hospital, with the initial dream to become a nurse. However, young Melissa realized quickly that her passion for helping others may need to find another outlet that didn’t involve needles and blood. So when she took an accounting class the following year, she found her calling that would still allow her to give back every day in her professional career.
Besides mastering her daily role at Baker Holtz as our Tax Principal, Melissa is also the head of our recruiting program. When she first started, we had a very black and white hiring process. Melissa took this as an opportunity and has transformed this process into a well-rounded internship program. Throughout the years she has continued to mold and cultivate our program into the unique process it is today. Since its beginning, Melissa has interviewed and hired over 30 interns, some of which have came on board with us as full-time employees after their internship ended.
Melissa enjoys working at Baker Holtz specifically because of the culture and team atmosphere that resonates throughout our entire office. The team mentality and being able to celebrate along with each of her clients throughout the success of their business are just a few reasons that she is the only upper management professional we have on our staff who has worked at Baker Holtz throughout her entire career.
Melissa’s drive to help others is reflected in not only her every day work and demeanor in our office, but outside of it as well. When Melissa isn’t busy being our internship leader, Tax Principal, and so much more, you can find her volunteering her time at various different organizations in our local community. She has been the head chair of the Visser Family YMCA Board since 2018 and the treasurer of the Literacy Center of West Michigan Board, and the Finance Council Member of the St. Pius X Catholic Church. Melissa is also a past member of the Family Business Alliance Events Committee, the past president of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance and a member of the West Michigan Estate Planning Council, AICPA, and MICPA.