Melanie Archer: Tech Consultant, Community Cornerstone and 2021 Over 40 & Fab Top 10
Melanie Archer is a community cornerstone. A hard-working technology consultant at KyckGlobal, youth soccer coach and mom of two, the 41-year-old still finds time to volunteer amidst her busy schedule. After navigating a difficult divorce, Melanie found a way forward and a new understanding of her strength, resilience and compassion for others. Now she is working to give back to her community and empower other women in technology.
What piece of wisdom would you give to people in their 20s and 30s?
Be careful how you spend your time and who you spend it with. Time, like your health, wealth and knowledge, is one of the greatest gifts we have been given. We need to be cautious as to where we spend all these gifts. In today’s world, we can become easily distracted by social media and the news or politics. We should be aware, but not consumed.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To thine own self be true. My mother used to say this, and I didn’t quite understand it until I got older. As younger individuals, we are constantly trying to seek approval from our parents, teachers and friends, and as we get older, it can be children, spouses or jobs. We must make sure we are true to ourselves, which will bring us joy in the end.
What impact do you hope to leave on the world?
Giving comes in many forms, and that would be the greatest impact I’d hope to leave. I always tell others, if you don’t have money to donate, the greatest gift you can give is your time or talent. Volunteers are so important today, and it starts within the home, then community, and should stem from there out into the world.
What is your favorite way to give back to your community?
Since I grew up in domestic violence and child abuse, I’ve always wanted to work with kids and teens. I’ve been working with the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy to help bring awareness to child abuse, domestic violence and sex trafficking. Outside of this organization, I also love working with the YMCA. I started by coaching soccer when I first moved to Atlanta and sat on the advisory board to help raise funding to support our lunch feeding program and scholarships for youth programs. I also enjoy volunteering for Women in Technology, which helps young single mothers get scholarships in cybersecurity and coaches them to get amazing tech jobs to support their families. I love this organization because I am a single mom in technology.
www.instagram.com/mlarcher4, www.mywit.org
Meet the rest of the 2021 Over 40 & Fabulous! Top 10 and Fab 4 here.
