A 17-Year Journey: A Story of Growth, Connection, and Impact

In 2007, Melissa Whitlatch joined the company as an office assistant with a curious outlook and an openness to wherever her new path might lead. Fast forward 17 years, Melissa now serves as a Senior HR Business Partner after working as a recruiter supporting our sales team. Her story of steadfast dedication embodies the heart of Achieve’s mission and culture, inspiring others seeking a meaningful career.

Purpose and compassion

Melissa’s first days at Achieve were filled with excitement about the unknown and the potential of her new career. She wasn’t entirely sure what the company did initially, and although the sales team was small, she was eager to help grow the team and had complete trust in the mentor she found in her hiring manager.

As time passed, she felt a deep personal connection to the company’s mission of helping everyday people get on the path to a better financial future.

"Seeing Achieve help people overcome their struggles with debt reminded me of my own family’s experiences with bankruptcy," Melissa shared. "I wished my parents had known about a solution like this." This became Melissa's driving force, inspiring her to move into recruiting where she could hire empathetic people knowing the sensitive nature of the job from her family’s experience and help shape the organization with people passionate about making a difference.

A culture of growth, support, and inclusivity

The culture at Achieve goes beyond the traditional work environment; it’s a community where support, growth, and care are woven into every aspect of the experience for our teammates and members.

"People here genuinely care about the mission, working hard for their goals and each other," Melissa said. "You feel included and like you belong here with many resources to tap into—from Employee Resource Groups to mentorship programs, fitness challenges, and more. There’s so much opportunity to share ideas here at Achieve. Whether in meetings, brainstorming sessions, focus groups, or even casual conversations with your leaders, it’s a very open environment for feedback.” Melissa shares.

“I have seen many positive changes because of someone’s feedback, so I always encourage people to speak their ideas. Change can’t happen without that.”

The impact of mentorship

Reflecting on her journey, Melissa credits the growth-focused culture and the mentors she’s had along the way, Heather Marcom and Kevin Gallegos, for her success. ”Heather set high standards and helped me see my potential that I hadn’t recognized. She encouraged me to grow and take steps that led me to where I am today." 

This support empowered Melissa to develop the skills needed to lead, first as a recruiter and now as a trusted HR partner. “Achieve is a very growth-focused organization. The company has provided and encouraged attendance to training and conferences, and I’ve also had great leaders who have encouraged me along the way.”

Today, Melissa also collaborates with the first manager who hired her 17 years ago, Kevin Gallegos, now the SVP of Sales. This full-circle moment shows Achieve’s commitment to nurturing connections and fostering career development that allows teammates to thrive no matter what stage of career they’re in.

Meaningful moments

Melissa says one of the most fulfilling aspects of her work is witnessing the career growth of teammates she’s hired. “In recruiting, you’re helping people make one of the most impactful decisions in their lives. I love seeing people join Achieve and grow their careers—whether it’s an agent moving up into leadership or someone from sales pivoting into a new role in business intelligence and excelling," she explained. These success stories inspire her to keep going, knowing that her work indirectly improves the financial lives of Achieve’s members.

Celebrating successes together

Throughout her career, Melissa has experienced the power of teamwork and Achieve’s support during busy times. For example, implementing a new applicant tracking system required rigorous planning, testing, and communication across multiple departments. “I heard a quote: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ This project proved how essential collaboration is to our success. It was a lot of hard work, but we were able to go live on time without any major issues. I credit everyone working together and staying communicative to that success.”

Curiosity, coachability, and connection

Melissa’s advice to anyone beginning their career at Achieve can be summed up in three words: curiosity, coachability, and connection. "Be eager to learn about every aspect of our business and your role in supporting our members. Stay open to feedback, always strive to get better, and take the time to connect with others. You can learn something from everyone, no matter their role."

As she continues her career, Melissa embodies the best of Achieve’s values, from caring for others and getting better every day to collaborating with everyone to help the organization succeed. Her story shows what’s possible when you take a risk and put trust into a career built with purpose, passion, and heart.