MEET THE 2022 LEADERSHIP TRAILBLAZER TOP 10 FINALISTS

Today’s Trailblazer: Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues

The League caught up with Top 10 Finalist, Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues, Town Manager, North Andover, Massachusetts to talk about being named a Leadership Trailblazer and having a career in public service:

Q: Congratulations on being named a finalist for the Leadership Trailblazer Award. What does it mean to you to be nominated?

I am so proud and humbled to join such an exceptional group of finalists, and what makes it even more special is that the women on my team chose to nominate me for this honor. I am so blessed to be \ surrounded by a team that builds each other up every day.

With so few women seeking leadership positions in local government, I’m hopeful that recognitions like these encourage and inspire women to continue to seek advancement in cities and towns.

Most importantly, my own two young daughters are able to see strong hardworking women being recognized for doing what they love, and that is the best possible award.

Q: What led you to a career in public service?

I’ve always been interested in public service, my first job was at my local library. Many of my family members have been and are public servants and the notion of serving the community was always ingrained from childhood. I was blessed to start my career as a lawyer in the community I grew up in, which was such a fulfilling experience, and as I’ve moved on to serve other communities, it has been so rewarding to see how quickly a community welcomes you and makes you feel at home.

Q: Who were your mentor(s) or advocate(s) in your career?

I’m surrounded by amazing local government champions that inspire and teach me every day. Straight out of college, I worked for then State Senator Jarrett Barrios, who taught me everything I know about working with residents, how to lobby tirelessly for a cause, the fine art of being prepared for every meeting, and gave me the confidence to continue to pursue my dreams.

Q: What is the most important lesson you learned while coming up in your career?

Perspective. It is amazing how as you go through your own career and the seasons of your own life, your perspective adjusts. The manner in which I viewed things in my twenties (what was a priority, what was an emergency, what would cause me stress or angst) has changed dramatically as I have gotten married, had children, and progressed professionally. That perspective has also taught me empathy and patience when working with and listening to employees and other municipal stakeholders.

Q: What advice do you have for women just beginning their careers who would like to be
an executive in local government someday?

Be a sponge, absorb as much as you can from all the people around you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn by doing. We all make mistakes, own them and grow from them. Surround yourself with people who will be your cheerleaders and your teammates, and then treat them with the same respect and enthusiasm. Set boundaries for yourself, and respect those boundaries. At the end of the day, no one but your mother is going to truly advocate for you, so do not be afraid to advocate for yourself. You are worth it.

You can be the manager, an executive, a mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a volunteer, the class mom, the girl scout leader, and the soccer coach. None of those titles need to define you, but they can comprise you.

Q: What do you hope to leave as your legacy in local government when your career
comes to an end?

At the end of the day, I sincerely hope that I will have left an improved municipal culture based on respect, understanding, and listening. I hope that people have felt heard and that they remember it is perfectly acceptable to disagree, but how we do it is so important.