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At Tru Consulting, Our Mission is Simple: to Serve Those Who Serve.

We help higher education and public sector organizations solve their most complex challenges, modernize their operations, and maximize their impact.​

In short, we Serve Those Who Serve.​

Tru Consulting is built by former higher education and public sector finance leaders who understand the complexity, constraints, and pressure institutions face every day. We’ve sat in your seat, which is why our approach combines deep industry expertise with technology that simplifies processes, improves collaboration, and drives better decision-making.

Christal Somar | Delivery Director

“What’s great is our broad reach across universities. We get to see how different institutions operate and help them streamline processes, implement software, and make everyday budgeting and finance easier.”

A Winning Culture 

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Tru Consulting’s success — and the success of our clients — starts with a culture rooted in trust, collaboration, and continuous learning.  That commitment has earned national recognition for both our growth and workplace culture: Because when our people thrive, our clients do too. 
Tru Consulting team of Anaplan consultants gathered for company event with city skyline in background

3-Time Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies

Consulting Magazine’s 2025 Best Firms to Work For 

4-Time Great Places to Work

Tru Consulting team members participating in annual strategy meeting focused on higher education and public sector financial planning

Meet Our Leaders

Tru Consulting is led by a diverse, experienced team united by a shared purpose:
helping mission-driven organizations plan for a better future. 

Each leader brings deep expertise, innovative thinking, and a genuine passion for helping institutions thrive in a rapidly changing world. 

Mela Fezzey, Chief Executive Officer of Tru Consulting and higher education finance leader
With 25+ years of higher education leadership, including as founding Director of Finance and Business Operations at UC Riverside’s School of Medicine, Mela Fezzey empowers teams to rethink financial planning and strengthen institutional resilience, driving excellence through strategy, collaboration, and innovation.

Mela holds a MBM from the University of Redlands and a BA from San Diego State University.

With nearly 20 years of experience helping higher education and public sector institutions modernize financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting. A veteran consultant, he’s passionate about efficiency, impact, and empowering organizations to achieve operational excellence.

Wayland is a CFA and holds a BBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Jordan leads all financial aspects of the company and ensuring financial strategy translates into scalable, high-impact outcomes for our client partners. With nearly 15 years of experience across high-growth professional services firms and SaaS companies, he brings a disciplined, value-focused approach shaped by roles spanning analyst, auditor, controller, and VP of finance, along with deep expertise in M&A and private equity partnerships.

Jordan is a CPA and holds a BS from Indiana University.

Justin Martin, Managing Partner and Chief Growth Officer at Tru Consulting specializing in higher education finance and strategic growth

Justin is a problem solver passionate about connecting people to solutions that modernize planning and enhance efficiency. With over 15 years experience spanning higher education finance and technology, Justin helps institutions translate complex challenges into actionable strategies that drive both tactical and strategic success.


Justin holds both an MBA and BS from Boston University.


John leads teams in implementing transformative budgeting and financial planning solutions for higher education and public sector. With nearly 20 years of higher ed finance and consulting experience, including a decade in finance leadership at MIT, John brings deep expertise in software implementation, strategic analysis, and change management.

John holds an MBA from Boston University and a BA from Bates College.

Libby brings a client’s perspective to every engagement, having once been one herself. With over a decade in higher education and academic medical finance, she leads Tru’s most complex projects, ensuring partnership, clarity, and meaningful outcomes for every institution.

Libby holds both an MHA and BS from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Steve Adler is an enterprise transformation leader with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations modernize operations and maximize technology investments. His career includes leadership roles at the National Basketball Association, New York University, and enterprise transformation initiatives across major ERP platforms.

Steve holds a BS from Brooklyn College.

Brock is a growth strategist and relationship builder with over a decade of experience in education and enterprise software. As a proven sales leader, he’s been instrumental in establishing and expanding Anaplan’s education and public sector presence. His passion lies in driving meaningful partnerships and sustainable growth.

Brock holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Victoria transforms strategy into action by building scalable people programs that empower both our teams and our client partners to thrive. With 16+ years of experience supporting executive leaders in fast-paced environments, she brings a data-driven approach to organizational development and talent management — ensuring our people’s excellence translates directly into our clients’ success.

Victoria is a SHRM-SCP and holds a BA from Augusta State University.

Scott leads the marketing and communications team in connecting higher education leaders and amplifying the successes of partner institutions nationwide. With over a decade of marketing experience for EdTech and other mission-driven organizations, he’s passionate about helping institutions modernize planning, strengthen collaboration, and maximize their impact on students and communities.

Scott holds an MBA from Idaho State University and a BA from Brigham Young University.

Sheila ensures leadership teams stay aligned, roadblocks are removed, and critical initiatives move forward seamlessly. With 20+ years of higher ed experience in academic affairs, faculty compensation, and consulting, she bridges strategy and execution — ensuring Tru’s operational excellence directly translates into stronger, faster outcomes for our client partners.

Sheila is a SHRM-SCP and holds an MBA from the University of Redlands and a BS from Pepperdine University.

Tru Consulting Directors

Bernadine Parker, Delivery Director at Tru Consulting supporting financial planning and implementation initiatives

Bernadine Parker

Delivery Director

Audrey Neet, Master Anaplanner and Delivery Director at Tru Consulting specializing in Anaplan implementation

Audrey Neet, Master Anaplanner

Delivery Director

Brian Mehr

Delivery Director

Christal Somar, MPA, Delivery Director at Tru Consulting serving higher education and public sector clients

Christal Somar, MPA

Delivery Director

Edgar Contreras, Delivery Director at Tru Consulting supporting strategic planning and implementation

Edgar Contreras

Delivery Director

Katie Mester, JD, PMP, Director of Delivery Operations at Tru Consulting driving operational excellence

Katie Mester, JD, PMP

Director, Delivery Operations

Sophie Pae, CPA

Strategic Client Delivery Lead

Shardai Olivio, MBA

Director, People & Culture Programs

Heather McIntosh, Director of Proposal Management at Tru Consulting overseeing strategic proposal development and client engagement

Heather McIntosh

Director, Proposal Management

Greg Smith, Technical Director at Tru Consulting specializing in financial planning systems and technical implementation

Greg Smith

Technical Director

What We Stand For

At Tru Consulting, our values aren’t just words on a wall — they’re the principles that guide how we show up for our clients, our colleagues, and our communities every day. These five commitments reflect who we are and how we work.

Serve with Purpose

We put our clients’ goals at the center of every decision and act in service of what matters most to their organization.​

Build Together

We work with empathy, respect, and professionalism, creating an environment where collaboration unlocks growth.​

Win with Principle

We win the right way, with integrity and sound judgment, especially when faced with challenges.​

Think Beyond

We look ahead, challenge assumptions, and bring disciplined thinking to what’s next so our clients are prepared for the future.

Simplify to Amplify

We believe simplification is strategic—cutting through noise to surface what matters most so decisions are clearer and outcomes stronger.

Come Join Our Team

If you’re passionate about helping mission-driven organizations modernize planning, accelerate insight, and maximize impact, you’ll fit right in at Tru.

We’re a fully remote team built on trust, flexibility, and shared purpose — helping each other grow while making a difference for our clients.
Explore Careers at Tru
Tru Consulting employee benefits including generous PTO, 401k matching, paid health premiums, fully remote work, wellness reimbursement, and monthly tech stipend

At Tru, you don’t just work — you belong, contribute, and grow. 

At Tru, our values aren’t just words — they’re how we show up for every client, every project, and each other. 

Tru Consulting team presenting at industry conferences, collaborating with clients, and building partnerships across higher education and public sector communities

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