Melissa “Birdie” Patterson brings nearly 30 years of shop-tested grit to the classroom. From sanding bumpers in a collision shop to managing repair centers and guiding owners through legacy transitions, she’s lived every side of the business. As a former shop manager and I-CAR certified estimator, Birdie understands firsthand the real-world challenges of building trust, leading teams, and keeping culture strong while growing a business that lasts.

A student and longtime collaborator of the late Maylan Newton, Birdie carries forward The Maylan Method - real leadership, clear communication, and culture that lasts. Her teaching style blends humor, storytelling, and hard-won experience, making even complex topics engaging, practical, and unforgettable.

Today, Birdie helps shop owners strengthen their culture, clarify their marketing, and prepare for the future through her company, Bird’s iSocial. She’s taught at AAPEX, ASTA Expo, TOOLS Pennsylvania, ATRA, and local ASCCA chapters, known for her high-energy sessions like Shift Happens, Know Like Trust, and Build a Shop That Lasts Beyond You.

Beyond the stage, Birdie serves as a leader and founding member of Amazing Women in Automotive (AWiA), helping women in the trade connect and grow. When she’s not teaching or traveling to meet clients or events, she’s usually baking, swimming, or working toward her private pilot’s license - always chasing the next adventure, whether in business or in the sky.