Duke Management Academy Scholars

Melanie Kirk

Title: Administrative Manager
Department: Department of Surgery
Entity:
Class Year: 2025

Bio:
Melanie Kirk started at Duke in 2000 after moving to North Carolina from Iowa. Where she began working in the Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery for 17 years, and then she transitioned into her current role serving as an Administrative Manager in the Chairman's office in the Department of Surgery, specifically, as the Special Events, Recognition, Space & Logistics Coordinator. She leads a team that supports the Chairman's Suite of the Department of Surgery and the Surgery DEI Office. She plans all large Departmental Special Events hosted by the Chair of the Department, where she has honed her skills in organizing and overseeing the complexities of event planning, ensuring that every aspect runs smoothly from beginning to end. She thrives in high-pressure environments and prides herself on trying to deliver fun and memorable experiences. Beyond event coordination, she also coordinates complex tasks, including overseeing office relocations, facilitating construction projects, and ensuring proper setup of furniture, while using efficient resources. Outside the office, Melanie enjoys spending quality time with her family, including her husband of 35 years, her daughters, son-in-law and especially her two grandsons.