Place People at the Heart of Clean

Melissa Salinas knows that the commercial cleaning industry is a “people business.” In fact, she began her career working in human resources for Hilton Hotels. Her background in developing interpersonal relationships with her team and customers alike supported her transition from hospitality to the commercial cleaning industry. Now, as Custodial Director at Rice University in Houston, Salinas continues to center her operations around company culture. 

“I was asked to join my current team because of my background in people leadership,” Salinas says. “A pivotal lesson I learned early in my career is that simple, happy employees lead to happy customers, which ultimately leads to a strong bottom line.” 

From managing different operational styles across various hotel types to leading custodial operations in complex environments, Salinas has learned the value of communication. When she started her leadership position, she faced frontline staff who had decades of experience in their roles. Instead of coming in as an expert, Salinas allowed her team to share their expertise and leveraged it to enhance operations. 

“Success often comes down to how well you listen, communicate, and support your team,” she shares. “There’s no secret formula to be present, recognize the hard work your team does, and lead with compassion. When people feel heard and valued, they become more engaged, and that ultimately strengthens the entire operation.” 

Salinas is driven by the people she works alongside. Her priority is in protecting staff, the unsung heroes of public health and safety, by advocating on their behalf. Helping them grow both professionally and personally is what she finds most rewarding about this job. 

As a lifelong learner, Salinas does not believe she knows everything. She was advised during her leadership journey to always seek out solutions. When she encounters doubt, she relies on her network and ingenuity to find answers. These tools are how she continues to grow, support her staff, and encourage the next generation of leadership. 

“For women looking to advance from custodial operations into senior management, my advice is to stay curious, keep building your skill set, and focus on solutions. Leadership is not about having all the answers, it’s about creating an environment where problems are solved, teams are supported, and opportunities are found,” she says. 

The future is definitely female for custodial services at Rice University, as the workforce remains mostly female. Despite that fact, the overall industry has not always reflected this reality when it comes to management roles. Salinas believes the next step toward equity is improving access to professional development programs geared toward supporting women. 

“Creating space for women in leadership means sharing knowledge, encouraging growth, and ensuring that those who want to advance have the support and development opportunities to do so,” she says. 

Salinas actively contributes to this future by participating in a leadership coaching program. Her goal is to mentor others and ensure they have the skills and training required to take the next step in their careers. 

“The cleaning and facilities industry offers tremendous opportunities for those wanting to lead teams, make a visible impact on daily operations, and help people succeed,” she shares. 

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