Mechelle Degree, Profiled By Influential Women, Builds A Career Around Technology, Leadership, And Inspiring Others
Raleigh, North Carolina – Mechelle has built a remarkable career by combining technology expertise, leadership, communication, and an unwavering belief in the potential of people. Since graduating with a degree in Information Systems in 1990, she has continued to evolve professionally, moving from IT support and training into global technology leadership, project management, and program management.
Her career began in IT support, where she spent approximately two years before discovering an unexpected strength that would shape the rest of her professional journey: her ability to communicate, engage, and inspire people.
That realization led Mechelle into training, where she discovered that speaking to people and capturing their attention was not simply a skill, but something she genuinely enjoyed. “That’s my jam,” she says of speaking and training, a passion that has taken her around the world and allowed her to connect with professionals across industries, cultures, and organizational levels.
For four years, Mechelle was a “road warrior” working in Salesforce automation before transitioning into the corporate environment with Ericsson and Sony Ericsson. She entered the corporate world as a training manager and eventually moved into IT as a service area manager. That progression opened the door to an expansive global career that has included working and speaking across Latin America, Europe, Sweden, and Africa.
Throughout each chapter of her career, Mechelle has continued to rely on one central strength: relationships.
She has remained deeply involved in project management and program management, areas that allow her to work across organizational teams and alongside customers. Because these roles require collaboration across different functions, Mechelle has had the opportunity to see many sides of an organization and understand the challenges faced by professionals at different stages of their careers.
That perspective has become especially valuable when working with early-career professionals and midline managers. Having experienced different sides of the organization herself, Mechelle can meet people where they are and understand their perspectives.
At the heart of her professional philosophy is a desire to make an impact.
Mechelle attributes much of her success to the foundation established by her parents, who taught her that she could accomplish anything. Her mom and dad instilled in her a deep faith and the belief that there is nothing she cannot do. That foundation has remained with her throughout every professional challenge and opportunity.
She believes that what God has for her is for her, regardless of how quickly circumstances change. By remaining focused on her goals and leading with love, she believes she can continue accomplishing what she is meant to accomplish.
That faith also influences the way she approaches leadership and mentorship.
For Mechelle, networking is more than a professional strategy. She believes that “networking is the new currency” and that relationships are essential in today’s world. People are not meant to live and work in isolation, and meaningful connections can create opportunities, strengthen leadership, and help individuals navigate challenges.
She sees leadership as something that takes many forms, but believes that connection remains at its core. Building authentic relationships with colleagues, clients, teams, and mentors can make the difference between simply completing a project and creating meaningful, lasting impact.
This commitment to connection is also evident in the way Mechelle supports young professionals, particularly young women entering the technology and business world.
Her message is straightforward: do not limit yourself to what you can see right now.
Mechelle encourages young women to understand that the world is much bigger than their current circumstances. Whatever they want to do, she believes they can pursue it. Whatever they want to have, she believes they can work toward it. She wants young professionals to recognize that they have an entire lifetime to explore opportunities, develop their careers, experience the world, and discover what is possible.
She puts that philosophy into action through mentorship. After meeting a young woman at a luncheon who was preparing to graduate and begin her career at Lenovo, Mechelle gave her personal cell number and encouraged her to reach out after graduation. For Mechelle, moments like that represent an opportunity to help someone navigate a career path that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
She believes young professionals need people willing to have honest conversations with them, provide perspective, and help them understand how to move forward.
Mechelle also recognizes that today’s professional environment comes with significant challenges. With rapid changes taking place across industries and society, she believes it is essential to remain focused on the end goal rather than becoming consumed by temporary circumstances.
Her personal philosophy is to remember that nothing lasts forever and that difficult moments are temporary.
That mindset became particularly meaningful during the chaos of 2020, when Mechelle decided to shave her head. At a time when so much felt outside her control, she realized that her hair was one thing she could control. The decision became both a personal expression and a reminder that even when circumstances are unpredictable, individuals can choose how they respond.
Today, Mechelle continues to bring that resilience into her leadership, work, and relationships.
Trust, loyalty, love, and compassion are the values that guide her both professionally and personally. Of these, compassion holds a particularly important place. Mechelle believes the world could benefit from having a greater allotment of compassion and that people would ultimately be happier as a result.
Whether she is leading a project, collaborating with customers, training professionals, mentoring young women, or speaking to an audience, Mechelle strives to make people feel seen, supported, and capable.
Her career is ultimately a reflection of that philosophy. From IT support to global technology leadership, from training rooms to international stages, Mechelle has continued to lean into her gifts, build relationships, and create opportunities for others.
Her message remains as powerful as ever: if she can do it, others can too.
For Mechelle, success is not simply about reaching the next professional milestone. It is about using the gifts she has been given to motivate the people around her, lead with love and compassion, and remind others that their possibilities are far greater than they may currently imagine.
Learn More about Mechelle Degree:
Through her Influential Women profile, https://influentialwomen.com/connect/mechelle-degree
Influential Women
Influential Women provides a platform where women from all backgrounds can connect, share their perspectives, and create content that empowers themselves and others. Through storytelling, thought leadership, and creative expression, Influential Women amplifies voices that inspire change.
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Influential Women
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