MELISSA ROYALTY
Camden,SC
Summary
Transformational executive leader with more than two decades of experience in behavioral health administration, educational leadership, and school-based therapy across domestic and international settings. Recognized for building scalable systems, driving organizational turnaround, and delivering measurable improvements in performance and outcomes. Proven success in leading multi-state mental health operations, managing Medicaid and commercial payer systems, and maintaining Joint Commission accreditation. Known for strategic partnerships, workforce development, and a steadfast commitment to expanding access to behavioral and educational services for children and families.
Proactive Market President with strong background in financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting. Develops and implements financial plans and delivers strategic financial advice.
Results-driven Executive experienced in financial statement review, auditing and reporting. Well-versed in producing reports, evaluating department operations and handling month- and year-end closings. Meticulous, conscientious and methodical in approach.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Market President – Mental Health Services
The Stepping Stones Group
01.2025 - Current
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for school-based behavioral health programs across multiple states.
- Drive growth through innovative partnerships with school districts and healthcare agencies.
- Oversee regional P&L, clinical compliance, and service expansion initiatives.
- Maintain Joint Commission accreditation across all programs.
- Lead Medicaid and commercial insurance billing operations with full regulatory adherence.
- Mentor executive leaders and clinicians to ensure consistent quality and accountability.
Executive Director – School-Based Mental Health Services
The Stepping Stones Group
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Directed large-scale behavioral health programs serving K–12 students in multiple states.
- Enhanced operational performance and clinical quality across diverse teams.
- Strengthened compliance infrastructure and audit readiness.
- Drove workforce engagement, training, and leadership pipeline development.
Client Services Director – Mental Health Division
The Stepping Stones Group
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Served as the executive liaison between the organization and school district partners.
- Achieved 98% renewal and client satisfaction rate through strong partnerships.
- Streamlined service delivery to align with fiscal and clinical priorities.
- Utilized outcomes data to drive program innovation and district success metrics.
Director of Behavioral Health
Kershaw County School District
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Led the district’s behavioral health and counseling initiatives, developing sustainable systems of care.
- Implemented district-wide MTSS framework to improve student outcomes.
- Directed compliance and Medicaid billing for behavioral health programs.
- Expanded community partnerships, increasing access to care by 40%.
Elementary School Principal
Pine Tree Hill Elementary School – Kershaw County School District
01.2013 - 01.2021
- Provided transformative leadership that took the school from failing to award-winning within five years.
- Principal of the Year and Reading Principal of the Year for academic turnaround leadership.
- Raised literacy proficiency rates by over 30%.
- Built a culture of excellence, innovation, and shared accountability.
Assistant Principal
Dent Middle School – Richland School District Two
01.2006 - 01.2013
- Led special education, discipline, testing, and community engagement initiatives.
- Supervised all special education services ensuring IDEA and 504 compliance.
- Reduced behavioral incidents through restorative approaches.
- Coordinated all state and district assessments with 100% compliance accuracy.
Assistant Superintendent for Behavioral Health
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) – Korea Peninsula
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Provided strategic leadership for behavioral health and counseling services across DoDEA schools in Korea.
- Supervised all school counselors, psychologists, and behavioral health professionals district-wide.
- Designed and implemented unified behavioral health and counseling curriculum.
- Built capacity through targeted professional development and leadership coaching.
- Partnered with military leadership and community organizations to strengthen student supports.
School Counselor
Seoul American Elementary School – DoDEA
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Provided counseling services for military-connected children and families.
- Created programs supporting deployment transitions and family reintegration.
- Delivered classroom and group guidance focused on resilience and emotional regulation.
School Counselor
Fort Irwin Middle School – San Bernardino County Schools
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Supported a population of military-connected middle school students through social-emotional, academic, and behavioral interventions.
- Delivered crisis response and mental health counseling services.
- Collaborated with parents, staff, and military family life counselors to ensure student well-being.
Teacher
McArthur Elementary School – Fort Leavenworth Unified School District
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Delivered high-quality instruction to elementary students in a diverse, military community.
- Created inclusive classroom environments supporting student mobility and transition needs.
- Integrated character education and early literacy strategies aligned with DoDEA standards.
School Counselor
Hahaione Elementary School
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Provided comprehensive counseling services to elementary students in a multicultural, urban school environment.
- Developed and implemented social-emotional learning programs, supported students’ academic, behavioral, and emotional needs, and collaborated with educators and families to foster positive school climate and student success.
- Taught in a multicultural environment with diverse learning needs.
- Designed and implemented differentiated instructional strategies.
- Supported at-risk students through individualized learning interventions.
Teacher
North Star Borough School District
01.1994 - 01.1995
- Delivered high-quality instruction to elementary students in a diverse, military community.
- Created inclusive classroom environments supporting student mobility and transition needs.
- Integrated character education and early literacy strategies aligned with DoDEA standards.
Teacher
Vernon Parish School District
01.1990 - 01.1993
- Taught multiple grade levels in an elementary setting focused on literacy and foundational academics.
- Named Teacher of the Year (1992) for excellence in instruction and student achievement.
- Implemented innovative reading and writing workshops improving literacy outcomes.
Education
Education Specialist (Ed.S.) - Educational Leadership
Cambridge College
01.2012
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Educational Leadership
University of Phoenix
01.2008
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Educational Counseling and Psychology
University of Phoenix
01.2000
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Elementary Education
Concord University
01.1989
Skills
- Visionary Behavioral Health Leadership
- Multi-State Operations & Organizational Growth
- Clinical & Educational Systems Integration
- Medicaid & Commercial Reimbursement Strategy
- Joint Commission & Regulatory Compliance
- Workforce Engagement & Leadership Development
- Strategic Partnerships & Community Relations
- Crisis Response & Student Well-Being Systems
- Building Scalable Behavioral Health Models for School Systems
- Financial acumen
- Innovation management
- Industry expertise
- Problem-solving abilities
- Strategic communication management professional (SCMP)
- Project management
- Interpersonal skills
- Critical thinking
- Quality assurance
- Fraud prevention
- Asset protection
Certification
- Licensed Professional Educator – LA, CA, HI, WV, AK, SC, KS, DoDEA
- Principal / Administrator Certification – SC
Timeline
Market President – Mental Health Services
The Stepping Stones Group
01.2025 - Current
Executive Director – School-Based Mental Health Services
The Stepping Stones Group
01.2024 - 01.2025
Client Services Director – Mental Health Division
The Stepping Stones Group
01.2022 - 01.2024
Director of Behavioral Health
Kershaw County School District
01.2021 - 01.2022
Elementary School Principal
Pine Tree Hill Elementary School – Kershaw County School District
01.2013 - 01.2021
Assistant Principal
Dent Middle School – Richland School District Two
01.2006 - 01.2013
Assistant Superintendent for Behavioral Health
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) – Korea Peninsula
01.2005 - 01.2006
School Counselor
Seoul American Elementary School – DoDEA
01.2003 - 01.2005
School Counselor
Fort Irwin Middle School – San Bernardino County Schools
01.2000 - 01.2004
Teacher
McArthur Elementary School – Fort Leavenworth Unified School District
01.1999 - 01.2000
School Counselor
Hahaione Elementary School
01.1998 - 01.1999
Teacher
North Star Borough School District
01.1994 - 01.1995
Teacher
Vernon Parish School District
01.1990 - 01.1993
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Educational Leadership
University of Phoenix
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Educational Counseling and Psychology
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Elementary Education
Concord University
Education Specialist (Ed.S.) - Educational Leadership
Cambridge College
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Principal of the Year – Kershaw County School District, 2015, Reading Principal of the Year, 2015, Teacher of the Year – Vernon Parish School District, 1992, Joint Commission Accreditation Leadership Recognition, 2022