This article about Fundholder Melissa Conti has been re-shared from the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
After a tragedy, Innovative Fitness Solutions Inc. President and Chief Financial Officer Melissa Conti recommitted to growing her company and expanded upon its mission and philanthropic spirit.
Conti founded the Kennesaw-based company, which specializes in designing and outfitting commercial fitness centers, in 2000 with her late husband, Chris. Melissa handled business and financial operations while Chris oversaw sales. They worked hard and grew the business. Then Chris was killed in an accident in March 2019.
Melissa immersed herself in growing the business even more.
“I just didn’t see any other choice and the people who work here inspired me to keep going,” she said. “We became very intentional after Chris died in everything we did. We really began to highlight what we do from concept to completion in how we walk someone though the process of creating their own fitness space.”
She also expanded the culture embracing philanthropy at work and adopted the mission statement “uniting fitness and philanthropy to create and inspire healthier communities.”
“We are not just going to do our jobs — we are going to be very intentional in giving back to the community,” she said. “Chris never met a stranger and he loved giving back. I wake up every day with a purpose to give back and if I was going to continue this business, I wanted that to be an everyday part of our work culture.”
Conti is the Community Champion award winner in the 2022 CFO of the Year Awards presented by Atlanta Business Chronicle in partnership with the Association for Corporate Growth Atlanta.
In 2020, Melissa created the Chris Conti Memorial Grant, which provides a free fitness center, complete with design and installation, to an organization in need in Georgia. This year, Innovative Fitness will award its third recipient. In December 2021, Melissa and Innovative Fitness teamed up with Village Connection Inc. to establish the Fostering Education Scholarship Fund for the purpose of providing scholarships to Georgia children who are aging out of foster care and lack the funds to attend college.
Additionally, the Service with Love Giving Fund, established in 2021, provides more opportunities to improve the wellbeing of others. The Innovative Fitness team participates in a monthly service project, many of which are driven by employees and their passions within the community.
“Melissa is a strong leader with unmatched consistency,” said Innovative Fitness Chief Operating Officer Matthew McAllister. “Her calm demeanor resonates through the office and is not shaken when faced with adversity. I don’t know anyone else that could handle the challenges she has faced and manage to not only get by but thrive.”
You can help support the much-needed work of the Fostering Education Scholarship Fund by donating here.
