First-Generation Alumnus Becomes Managing Partner of KPMG New York

His older sister, who was already at St. John’s University, gave him the push he needed to change his mind, encouraging him to enroll and give it one semester. 

He’s glad that the things that make St. John’s special were so obvious to him, even from the beginning. “St. John’s student body is indicative of New York City: the diversity, the grit, the kind of hard-working folks that were there,” he recalled. “It was a place where I felt comfortable, where I felt that I fit in. And I’m sure that had a lot to do with ‘let’s try that one semester’ turning into a four-year degree.” 

His insightful sister went on to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s from St. John’s, later becoming a teacher in New York City. 

Mr. Melilli currently lives in New Jersey, and is the managing partner of the KPMG New York office, where he has spent his entire career since his penultimate year at St. John’s. “One of my professors recommended that getting an internship would be a great way to enhance my résumé, so I applied to the tax internship program posted by KPMG at school. I ended up being one of the two or three folks that they asked to stay on—and I never left KPMG.” 

His proudest professional accomplishment was his recent promotion to managing partner; it is something he has been aspiring to since joining KPMG. He recognizes how rare it is in today’s workforce to remain with one employer for more than 30 years, but for him, cliché as he knows it sounds, “It’s definitely the people, the relationships that I made over the years,” he said. “My coworkers became friends and some are like family now. It’s the relationships, it’s the opportunities I’ve been given." 

He maintains strong relationships with his St. John’s peers, as well. “I have the core folks that I graduated with. Then, I have, of course, my sister. When I go into the market, it’s always comforting to see how many St. John’s alum are out there. There are St. John’s alum in all the big firms in the city. When you connect with them in the normal course of business, you kind of give each other a wink. You know that you’re all cut from the same cloth and that means they are someone you could probably do business with.”

From not wanting to attend college to becoming a proud alum, Mr. Melilli has advice for other St. John’s students. “Embrace your St. John’s identity. St. John’s has its own reputation of being a New York-centric university, having that hard work ethic, having that grit and the grind that comes with it: wear it proudly. One thing you’ll know for sure is that the St. John’s folks that are out there in the business community are certainly looking out for the next generation of graduates and are there to support and counsel you whenever needed.”