NWA Women in Business: Melissa Curry
Residence: Fort Smith
Education: Certified dementia practitioner, certified dementia practitioner trainer, certified dementia care manager, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (Westark College)
Professional background: Curry has been the CEO of Methodist Village Senior Living in Fort Smith since 2016. The facility has in recent years expanded services, renovated and added onto the care center, opened an education center, expanded memory care, and launched intergenerational initiatives focused on workforce development and community care.
What was your dream job as a kid, and why? Even as a child, I always wanted to care for our elderly and children. I was drawn to helping people who were vulnerable and making sure they were cared for properly, treated with kindness and never overlooked.
What inspired you to pursue the career you are in? Caring for older adults is meaningful work, and I quickly realized this industry gives you an opportunity to truly impact families, employees and an entire community.
What advice can you offer to women who want a career in your industry? Senior living is not always easy work, but it is meaningful work. You have to genuinely care about people, be willing to work hard and learn how every part of the organization matters. I would tell women entering this field to surround yourself with the best team, keep learning, ask questions and never lose their compassion. In healthcare, people remember how you made them feel long after anything else.
Can you share a time you took a significant career risk? What did you weigh before making that move? Definitely accepting the CEO role was a significant career risk because it came with tremendous responsibility and high expectations. I would be lying if I said I was not scared at times that I might not live up to the expectations of the people who believed in me most. However, I was surrounded by incredible support, encouragement and prayers from the MVSL Board, my family, friends and the community. Their confidence in me gave me the courage to step into the role and continue growing as a leader every day.
How do you take care of yourself and maintain good mental health? When your work truly matters to you, it provides energy even during difficult seasons. I have also learned that laughter and trusting your team are important to great mental health.
What time do you wake up in the morning? Usually around 4:45 a.m. My husband always brings me a cup of coffee to start my day, which is one of the simplest but most thoughtful parts of my morning routine. It gives me a few quiet minutes before the day gets busy.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Northwest Arkansas or the Fort Smith metro? There are truly so many great locally owned restaurants located in Fort Smith that we loved to visit, including Uncork’d, BluPoint Seafood & Steak, Piatto, and of course, The Yellow Umbrella — best burgers in the South!
What’s the next big personal or career challenge you plan to take on? One of the next big challenges I plan to take on is opening The Village Early Learning Center, an intergenerational childcare center on the Methodist Village Senior Living campus. This project is incredibly important to me because it supports not only children and families, but also our workforce, healthcare system and the long-term strength of our community. Access to quality childcare impacts whether many people can remain in the workforce, especially in healthcare. Raising the funding and bringing a project of this size to life is certainly a challenge, but it is also one of the most meaningful opportunities I have ever been part of.
What’s the best book you’ve read recently? “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes. I love how the women are uplifting, resilient and so supportive of one another. And of course the vivid descriptions of the Kentucky Mountains.
Who are the key types of people (mentors, sponsors, peers) you keep in your inner circle to help you stay grounded and sharp? I truly value people who will tell me the truth, not just what I want to hear. I stay close to mentors with wisdom and experience, peers who understand the pressures of leadership, and team members who are willing to challenge ideas respectfully. I also rely heavily on faith, family and longtime friends who keep me grounded outside of work.
What is the best leadership advice you have ever received? “People may forget what you did or what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”