LSPAA Alumni Highlight

LSPAA Alumni Highlight: Melissa Salamanca (Class of 2020)

You know the type: sharp, steady, and quietly hilarious—until the punchline lands and you realize she never even changed her expression. Melissa Salamanca (LSP Class of 2020) is always down for a fun time, brings a perfectly dry sense of humor to any room, and somehow manages to be both deeply competent and very entertaining.

Melissa is VP, Business Banker at First Horizon Bank, where she works with local business owners as they grow. For her, it’s personal—supporting small businesses is supporting the fabric of St. Pete itself. She loves being part of the momentum that helps the city thrive, and she cares about the people behind the businesses just as much as the numbers.

And speaking of numbers—if you assume her job is purely spreadsheets and approvals, Melissa would like to set expectations appropriately:

“My work is an emotional rollercoaster. I empathize with our business owners and only want to say ‘yes’, but sometimes ‘no’ is the best answer and it can be a hard message to deliver.”

That’s the reality of leadership in any form: balancing empathy with responsibility, and being honest even when it would be easier to soften the message. Melissa does that with clarity, care, and the kind of presence that makes people feel respected—regardless of the outcome.

She also brings the same energy to life outside of work. A recent “win” she’s proud of is the most Melissa thing ever—competitive, funny, and practical all at once:

“I recently won 2nd place at trivia night. I’m extremely competitive and full of fun facts. Nevermind that there were only 3 teams. It came with a coupon for free food!”

When Melissa thinks back on LSP, she has more than one standout moment—but one continues to sit with her because it’s now literally part of the city. Her class mural on the Morean Arts Center reads: “What are you doing for others?” — MLK, Jr. The question was posed during the turbulence of COVID, and she still thinks about it as new challenges arise. For Melissa, it’s a reminder to stay grounded in service and keep showing up for the community.

That commitment shows up in what she feels called to support right now: the future of St. Pete, especially as it relates to the Trop/Gas Plant redevelopment. Melissa is involved with the St. Pete Chamber and has volunteered as part of a newer committee dedicated to helping realize the site’s full potential—because whatever comes next should reflect what the city values most.

When she’s not working or volunteering, her perfect Saturday is simple: the beach. No elaborate agenda. Just a reset.

Her advice to new LSP class members is equally straightforward: listen first. The more you listen to the people around you, the better your decisions will be.

Since graduating, Melissa has stayed connected as a PC member for a couple of years, a sponsor every year, and now as part of the LSPAA Membership Committee—driven by what so many alumni name as the reason they keep coming back: relationships that actually last.

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