Five Questions with Bentley Trustee and Deloitte Consulting Principal Melinda Williams Reno ’92

Melinda Williams Reno ’92 is passionate about the power of technology to transform industries and lives. A principal at Deloitte Consulting since 2006, she is an expert in healthcare technology transformation, helping clients transform their organizations to be more consumer focused and to turn data into actionable insights that will inform strategic initiatives. She advocates for women — particularly in STEM-related fields — through mentorship and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In 2023, she helped facilitate a partnership between Bentley and Deloitte Consulting to launch a mentor program for first-generation students. Reno, who majored in Computer Information Systems at Bentley, joined the Board of Trustees in July 2024.

Tell us about your role at Deloitte. 

My expertise is large-scale technology transformations, focused on the healthcare industry.  As principal of a consulting firm, I have the chance to act as a mini-CEO on many different initiatives. Our teams do a tremendous amount of work — from mergers and acquisitions to large-scale technology implementations to tax advisory. It’s my responsibility to understand what a client needs and to bring the best of Deloitte to them. 

Which AI innovations have the potential to transform healthcare? 

If you look at emerging technologies today, everyone is trying to figure out how to deploy them in their organization. The simplest way to use AI in healthcare is to automate the basic, routine administrative tasks so people can focus on what they’re trained to do and what they want to do — which, in turn, frees up more time and opportunity for innovation.  

Another positive impact is personalization. Healthcare has typically been a one-size-fits-all, complicated system to navigate. The challenge for providers is figuring out how to personalize the process to the individual. This includes understanding how to encourage each one of their patients to make healthy lifestyle choices or enroll in a care management program for a chronic disease or have better adherence to their prescription medications. There are many more examples of how personalization can improve health, it is exciting to consider the possibilities.   

What is most energizing and amazing is the potential for AI to provide early detection and warning flags for diseases by analyzing data on the role of genetics, life choices and environmental factors. The U.S. spends just under 20% of its GDP on healthcare costs, yet we are no healthier than the rest of the world; we’re less healthy. There is a tremendous opportunity for AI and analytics to make a positive impact on health status and quality of life. 

You’re committed to mentorship. Who influenced your career path? 

Throughout my career I’ve had many amazing and impactful mentors. In almost every career move, I was fortunate to have people take me under their wing and seeing something in me that I didn’t necessarily see in myself. That mentorship helped me not only grow and expand my skills but also expand my confidence.  

Facilitating the partnership between Bentley and Deloitte Consulting to launch the First Falcons Mentorship Program, which matches participating first-generation sophomore students with an alumni mentor from Deloitte Consulting, was a full circle moment for me. In addition to creating access to career development resources such as networking basics and job interview preparation, alumni who are first-generation students helped create a playbook on transitioning to college. It goes back to helping people grow their skills and building their confidence. 

You’re an avid Boston sports fan. What was your reaction to the Bentley-Celtics partnership? 

I’m a big fan of all Boston sports but the Celtics are my favorite team right now — and it’s cool to see my two worlds coming together. Professional sports is a very business-focused industry, particularly marketing, customer engagement and using data and analytics to understand game strategies, player selections and match ups. Those are topics that Bentley is teaching so there’s value for both sides: Students get an inside look at the sports industry, and the Celtics gain perspectives and ideas from their next generation of customers. The partnership is a win-win. 

What excites you about the Bentley mission? 

Bentley changed my life; it was a combination of campus life, classes and professors and the friends I made. I have a huge sense of gratitude toward the university. What is even more exciting for me is when I talk with Bentley alumni, they share the same sentiment that Bentley changed their life. It’s an honor and privilege to be a trustee and have a part of delivering a “life-changing” experience to future Bentley graduates.