A head for figures and a love of problem solving are important traits in an organization as large and multifaceted as the Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2) at Georgia Tech. Melissa Lang brings both—along with 15 years of EI2 know-how—to her new position as director of financial operations.
“I’ve always been good with numbers,” Lang said. “Math was one of my strongest subjects in school. I think I took to it so well because I like to solve problems. I like to figure things out. Sometimes finance can be a puzzle that you have to put together.”
Born in Tampa, Lang grew up in Georgia and got her bachelor’s in business administration from Kennesaw State University and an MBA from Georgia Southwestern State University. When she started at EI2 15 years ago, she processed invoices. She worked her way up through the finance team, most recently serving as associate director of financial operations, before taking the helm in April.
“Melissa has been a vital part of EI2 for the past decade, playing a key role in automating financial processes, representing EI2 in audits, and managing sponsored projects,” said Roger Mason, director of business operations and Lang’s supervisor. “Her biggest contribution, however, is being a supportive and valued co-worker and friend.”
Lang believes her long tenure and inside-out knowledge of EI2’s financial operations will be essential to her success as director.
“I’ve seen all aspects of the finance side,” she said. “I’ve grown up with EI2. I think that will definitely help me.”
Her goals include a focus on efficiency and service. “I’m big on making processes more efficient, trying to find tools that help us get the job done,” she said. “I’m not the type of person to say this is how we’ve always done it, so this is how we do it. If there’s a new, better way to do it, I want to do it that way.”
She and her husband have two kids and three cats at home. “I’m turning into the crazy cat lady, and I’m not ashamed of it,” she said.
Lang’s love of puzzles extends to her life outside of work. She calls herself a “trendy crafter.” She likes to try anything new that shows up on TikTok or Instagram. “My toxic trait is, I can see somebody do something, and think, oh, I can do that,” she said. “I go buy all the things to do it, and then I’ll do it once or twice.”
Once the puzzle is solved, she’s ready to move on. Here’s hoping she doesn’t solve all the financial puzzles at EI2 too quickly.