Melody Birmingham-Byrd came to Purdue to study accounting, but she found her calling in technology management after she started her studies in organizational leadership. Melody graduated in 1994 and has been a supervisor throughout her career, including more than seven years with Duke Energy as senior vice president of Midwest distribution operations, president of Duke Energy’s Indiana operations, and chief procurement officer and senior vice president, supply chain. Dean Gary Bertoline visited with Melody during Purdue's recent sesquicentennial celebration, in which the University noted 150 years of giant leaps by students, faculty, staff and graduates.
Melody reveals the inspiration for her career in management. She also shares advice about how to succeed in business in every phase of your career. “Coming out of Purdue, you have a sense that you’re able to take on the world,” she says. But instead, Melody’s advice is this: “Be humble to people who have come before you. Be humble to those who may be at a level different than your own, regardless of their role or title.”
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