Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie White
Hi Melanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In 1993, Melanie White faced her first major setback—flunking out of law school. It was a gut-wrenching moment, but instead of letting failure define her, she saw it as a challenge to transform. She picked up Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow by Marsha Sinetar, and it sparked a revelation: she loved HR. The next step was figuring out how to make it work for her.
Her second pivotal moment came when she read You, Inc. by Burke Hedges. The book redefined her approach to work—every job was a contract, a stepping stone to something greater. Armed with this mindset, she built a career that was anything but traditional. She didn’t wait for promotions; she created them. When jobs no longer served her growth, she moved on, always learning, always adapting.
Over the next 30 years, Melanie mastered the art of HR transformation. She worked with industry giants like Accenture, Siemens Healthineers, and Ascension Health, managing projects worth $60 million. She became fluent in the language of HR, IT, and business strategy, translating complex challenges into actionable solutions. She led teams across the U.S., the Philippines, Germany, and India, navigating global HR practices with ease.
Then came another turning point: a layoff. But this time, Melanie knew exactly what to do. Instead of looking for another job, she built one. She founded Sisyphus HR, a boutique consulting firm designed for the companies that get left behind—the small to mid-sized businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations that can’t afford Big 4 consulting but still need world-class HR expertise.
Today, Sisyphus HR is a force in the industry, providing strategic HR consulting, fractional support, and AI-driven process improvements. It offers outsourced survey and metrics services, and soon, a membership model for businesses that need ongoing HR guidance. At its core, the firm operates with Melanie’s signature approach—compassion, curiosity, teamwork, and excellence.
She calls herself an HR fixer—like Olivia Pope, but without the scandal (though she’s handled her fair share). Her mission? To ensure that every organization, no matter its size, has the tools, talent, and strategy to thrive. And with Sisyphus HR, she’s making that mission a reality every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. I have been laid off 3 times fired twice (once justifiably because I hated where I was working and I just couldn’t perform); however, I took that experience and learned the skills and leveraged that into working for Accenture where I honed my consulting and questioning skills. My personal journey hasn’t been either. I struggled with my weight since childhood ballooning up to 289 pounds and on a 5’3″ frame, that’s a lot. In 2013 I had weight loss surgery and now I hover between 80-100 pounds down. Losing it was “easy”, but keeping it off has been a journey because I have had to confront all of the reasons that I overate in the first place. I worked with a Therapist who helped me align my personal and professional selves. In 2017, I went through a miscarriage and horrible relationship ending. Then in 2019, my mother died after a long battle with COPD, my grandmother was murdered, I got fired (unjustly), and I parted ways with my best friend. Needless to say, I needed a break so I took 6 months off to study to become a yoga teacher. That training helped me refocus and learn balance in both work and life. On graduation day from yoga teacher training, COVID shut the world down. I have taken all of that and transformed all of those painful situations into a passion for something bigger than me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Sisyphus HR: Big 4 Expertise, Boutique Firm Heart
At Sisyphus HR, we believe that every business deserves world-class HR strategy and support—not just the Fortune 500s. That’s why we provide high-impact, people-focused HR solutions tailored for small to mid-sized businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations. Our mission is to refine strategy, align HR activities to business goals, optimize processes with AI, and offer fractional support that makes a real difference.
What We Do & Specialize In
We take a strategic, hands-on approach to HR, ensuring that organizations don’t just operate—they thrive. Our services include:
✅ HR Strategy & Transformation – We align HR with business goals, ensuring people, processes, and technology work together seamlessly.
✅ HR Technology & Process Optimization – We assess tools, streamline processes, and integrate AI-driven efficiencies to help businesses scale smarter.
✅ Fractional HR Support & Membership Services – For businesses that can’t afford full-scale consulting but need expert guidance, we offer a monthly retainer model where they can submit HR-related questions and projects.
✅ Surveys & Metrics Services – Through our outsourced survey and analytics partnership, we design custom HR metrics that provide deep insights and turn data into strategy.
✅ Talent & Workforce Development – We help companies develop and retain top talent, ensuring their workforce is engaged, effective, and aligned with their mission.
What Sets Us Apart?
🔹 Big 4 Expertise Without the Big 4 Price – With 30 years of HR experience and a background at Accenture, Siemens, and Ascension Health, we bring top-tier consulting strategies to organizations that typically can’t access them.
🔹 Compassion Meets Excellence – Our work isn’t just about compliance and efficiency; it’s about people. We blend deep HR expertise with a culture of curiosity, trust, and community involvement.
🔹 AI-Driven HR Solutions – We don’t just manage HR—we innovate it. By integrating artificial intelligence and streamlined processes, we help businesses work smarter, not harder.
🔹 HR Fixers for Complex Problems – Think of us as the Olivia Pope of HR—minus the scandal. Whether it’s a crisis, leadership change, or compliance challenge, we step in and get things back on track.
What We’re Most Proud Of
We are changing the game for small and mid-sized businesses. Too often, these organizations struggle because they don’t have access to the right HR resources. We take big consulting firm strategies and tailor them to fit budgets and business needs—so that even small teams can play big.
What Should Readers Know?
If you’re a small to mid-sized business, nonprofit, or faith-based organization looking for HR expertise that’s affordable, strategic, and impactful, Sisyphus HR is your solution. Whether you need a full HR transformation, fractional support, or just guidance on a tough issue, we’re here to help.
Let’s streamline, strategize, and build a thriving workforce together. 🚀 www.sisyphushr.com
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Advice on Finding a Mentor & Building a Strong Network
1. Be Excellent—Even When No One’s Watching
My greatest mentors found me because I showed up and put in the work. When I was at CNN, I took a corporate financial management course, and on the last day, the Director of Global Compensation tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Come to my office.” I thought I was in trouble, but instead, she told me she had been watching me, saw my potential, and wanted to guide me. That relationship has lasted for years—I still call her whenever I make a big career move.
🔹 Lesson: Always bring your A-game. People with power and influence notice excellence, and when they do, they’re more likely to invest in you.
2. A Good Mentor Sees What You Can’t See in Yourself
The best mentors don’t just teach you skills—they help you see your own potential before you even realize it’s there. I take this approach with the people I mentor. I choose them based on what I see in their work ethic, problem-solving ability, and drive—often before they recognize their own strengths.
🔹 Lesson: If you want a mentor, don’t just ask, “Will you be my mentor?” Instead, show them your value, and let the relationship develop naturally.
3. Put Yourself in the Right Rooms
Networking isn’t about collecting business cards—it’s about building genuine relationships with people who challenge and inspire you. Some strategies that have worked for me:
✅ Take professional development courses – I met one of my most important mentors in a class. Being in learning environments attracts people who are also striving for growth.
✅ Join industry groups & associations – Whether it’s HR organizations, leadership groups, or niche communities, find places where smart, ambitious people gather.
✅ Give before you take – Offer value first. If you see a way to help someone—whether it’s connecting them to a resource, sharing an insight, or supporting their work—do it without expecting immediate returns.
4. Follow Up & Stay Connected
The strongest networks are built on consistency. If you meet someone who could be a great mentor, stay in touch. Send a quick email, share an article that reminded you of a conversation, or check in when they make a career move.
🔹 Lesson: Relationships don’t maintain themselves—nurture them.
Final Thought:
Mentorship and networking aren’t about collecting titles or names—they’re about finding people who push you to be better and being that person for someone else. If you show up, put in the work, and stay open to learning, the right people will find you—and when they do, listen, learn, and grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SisyphusHR.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sisyphushr/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniewhitehr/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sisyphus-hr/?viewAsMember=true
Image Credits
Brandpreneur – Nick Nelson
