Conference Planning is Hard Working With GLS is Easy

Passionate about providing confidence, not just compliance, Melisa is the award-winning Founder & CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions – a premier, full-service provider of high-quality continuing professional education for CPAs. Having spoken for hundreds of thousands of CPAs over 20+ years, Melisa has become a nationally recognized authority in designing and facilitating courses on advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting.

Melisa is known for her expertise in instructional design and adult learning techniques, backed by her Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) credentials, as well as the prestigious Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. With a far-ranging career in public accounting at top firms and bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, she’s built a reputation for delivering engaging, effective learning experiences for hundreds of CPA firms, governments, nonprofits, state societies, and alliances.

Committed to advancing the profession, Melisa has served on multiple prestigious committees for leading industry associations including AICPA, NCACPA, FASB, and VSCPA, and written the acclaimed nonprofit finance book, “Money Matters for Nonprofits.” For her contributions to both accounting and entrepreneurship, Melisa has received numerous accolades, such as the Top 50 Women in Accounting Award, Enterprising Women of the Year Award, and being honored as a “40 under 40” by CPA Practice Advisor for three consecutive years.

Based in Charlotte, NC, Melisa loves supporting causes that empower women, chairing the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Greater Charlotte, and serving as Education Chair for NAWBO Charlotte’s Board of Directors.

In her free time, Melisa loves spending time with her family and can often be found at one of her daughter’s horse shows, supporting the arts with tickets to the orchestra, volunteering, or speaking a bit of French or Spanish on one of her treasured quarterly vacations.

Passionate about providing confidence, not just compliance, Melisa leads Galasso Learning Solutions as Founder & CEO. Melisa is a nationally recognized authority in designing and facilitating courses on advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting. Since 2016, she has guided the GLS team to deliver quality in everything we do.

With a far-ranging career in public accounting, academia and industry and a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, Melisa has built a reputation for delivering engaging, effective learning experiences for CPAs. Committed to advancing our profession, she has served on multiple committees for leading industry organizations including the AICPA and FASB, written the nonprofit accounting book, “Money Matters for Nonprofits,” and has been honored with the Top 50 Women in Accounting Award, the Rising Star award from NAWBO Charlotte, and “40 under 40” recognition by CPA Practice Advisor.

In her free time, Melisa loves spending time with her family and can often be found at one of her daughter’s horse shows, supporting the arts with tickets to the orchestra, volunteering, or speaking a bit of French or Spanish on one of her treasured quarterly vacations.

Passionate about providing confidence, not just compliance, Melisa is the award-winning Founder & CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions – a premier, full-service provider of high-quality continuing professional education for CPAs based in Charlotte, NC. Over 20+ years, Melisa has become a nationally recognized accounting & auditing standards authority, adult learning theory expert, and author trusted by CPA firms, governments, and organizations to deliver engaging, effective learning experiences. As a dedicated leader in several leading organization including AICPA, NCACPA, and NAWBO, she’s known for her constant commitment to quality and being a welcoming resource to CPAs, women entrepreneurs, and girls who love to dream big.

With an extensive background in accounting, auditing, and adult learning theory, Jaclyn is a licensed CPA who oversees the development of Level Training programs for Galasso Learning Solutions. Our students share that she creates highly-engaging, 5.0 rated curricula with case studies, hands-on activities, and even games.

Prior to joining our team, Jaclyn worked for two of the Top 10 CPA firms where she was entrusted with significant responsibilities including managing teams in India, leading revenue testing, and overseeing more than 20 acquisition audits from start to finish. With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from Clemson University, as well as certificates in Adult Learning Theory, Instructional Design, Training & Facilitation, and E-Learning Instructional Design, Jaclyn is a trusted facilitator known for explaining complex concepts in compelling ways.

In her personal life, Jaclyn loves to dive into DIY projects with her husband, from renovating rooms to building furniture. She also enjoys exploring downtown Greenville, SC, the beautiful Swamp Rabbit Trail, and time at home with her two rescue kittens.

With an extensive background in accounting, auditing, and adult learning theory, Jaclyn is a licensed CPA who oversees the development of Level Training programs for Galasso Learning Solutions. Our students share that she creates highly-engaging, 5.0 rated curricula with case studies, hands-on activities, and even games.

Prior to joining our team, Jaclyn worked for two of the Top 10 CPA firms (PwC and Forvis, LLP) where she was entrusted with significant responsibilities including managing teams in India, leading revenue testing, and overseeing more than 20 acquisition audits from start to finish.

With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from Clemson University, as well as certificates in Adult Learning Theory, Instructional Design, Training & Facilitation, and E-Learning Instructional Design, Jaclyn is a trusted facilitator known for explaining complex concepts in compelling ways.

Jaclyn, a licensed CPA, brings extensive experience in accounting, auditing, and adult learning theory to her role at Galasso Learning Solutions, where she develops 5.0-rated training programs featuring case studies, hands-on activities, and games. Previously, she worked at two top 10 firms, managing teams in India, leading revenue testing, and overseeing over 20 acquisition audits. Jaclyn holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Clemson University and certifications in Adult Learning Theory, Instructional Design, Training & Facilitation, and E-Learning Instructional Design. Outside of work, she enjoys DIY projects with her husband, exploring downtown Greenville, SC, and spending time with her two rescue kittens.

With extensive experience in auditing and technology, Peter serves as an Audit Training Facilitator at Galasso Learning Solutions. His expertise in auditing healthcare companies, employee benefit plans, and private companies with complex transactions has made him a key contributor to the development of technical accounting training programs.

Before joining GLS, Peter worked at a Big 4, specializing in auditing healthcare companies in both public and private sectors. He later transitioned to an Internal Audit role at a Fortune 500 company before returning to public accounting at a national firm, where he focused on audits involving business combinations, asset acquisitions, GAAP to IFRS conversions, and technology implementations.

While with GLS, Peter earned the prestigious Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation, which was only possible because he spent much of his audit career, working closely with learning and development to design and facilitate training on both technical accounting and soft skills. He has experience designing, overseeing, and facilitating weeklong training programs and producing accounting podcasts eligible for CPE credit.

With nearly two decades of expertise in governmental and nonprofit accounting, Alex helps facilitate the development of governmental training programs for Galasso Learning Solutions. Her engaging presentation style, passion for connecting with attendees, and ability to make complex topics accessible have made her a sought-after educator in the field.

Prior to joining GLS, Alex served in executive leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance, within governmental entities, worked as an auditor for a public accounting firm, and earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University. Her contributions to the accounting field have been widely recognized, including being named one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting (2022, 2023) and receiving the AICPA’s Outstanding Young CPA Award in 2022.

Alex serves on AICPA Council and is a member of the Governmental Performance Accountability Committee. She previously served on the Emerging Professional Initiative Committee of the AICPA. She is currently serving as the Vice President of the Educational Foundation Board of Trustees for the Colorado Society of CPAs and is a member of their Young Professional Council.  Alex loves Disney and running so in January 2024, she completed the 48.6 mile Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World!