Melba is a founder and equity partner of Hughes Consultants, LLC, an Atlanta, Georgia based executive search and consulting firm, with a focus on lawyers. Hughes Consultants’ client base is largely comprised of Fortune 500 companies, Am Law 100 law firms, and governmental agencies. Representative clients include Del Monte Foods, Kenyon & Kenyon, Turner Broadcasting System, General Electric, Paul Hastings, Entergy Corporation, MetLife and Asbury Automotive Group and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

A recognized leader in the industry, Melba is frequently an invited speaker to national conferences and seminars, and is regularly featured in the business and legal press.  Speaking engagements have included Harvard Law School’s Fall Market Series, The Chief Recruiting & Professional Development Officers’ Conference, NALP’s Annual Education Conference and the No More Early Exits:  Women Respond to the ABA Conference.  Recent articles and quotes have appeared in prominent publications including:  The Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Minority Resource Guide, The American Lawyer Magazine, Fulton County Daily Report and The Altman Weil, Inc. Newsletter.

Born in Jamaica, Melba is an honors graduate of The University of Connecticut. An actively engaged professional and community leader, she has served as the Executive Director, Board Member and Officer of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants.  Melba is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta and is a member of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council.  She is a Certified Professional Career Coach and was recently selected as a member of the National Urban League’s Director Inclusion Program. She is a member of the Corporate Director’s Group. She serves on the boards of several charitable and not for profit organizations.