MITO scholarship fuels leadership journey

Backed by a 2025 MITO Matariki Scholarship, Melanie Hewitt is making impressive strides in her career—swiftly progressing from Parts Advisor to Warranty Manager at Armstrong Wellington Network.

The scholarship enabled Melanie to complete MITO’s First Line Management (Business Skills) programme, equipping her with the leadership skills and confidence to step into the Warranty Manager role, where she works closely with service managers across Armstrong Wellington’s operations.

“Being awarded a MITO scholarship gave me confidence—it showed me I am good enough, and that my company believed in me and supported my growth into leadership.”

Melanie’s journey into the automotive industry didn’t follow a traditional path.

After graduating from university with a double degree unrelated to the industry, she began her career at Armstrong Wellington as a receptionist.

“When the Parts Advisor role came up, I knew I wanted to learn more about the automotive business,” she says. “I stepped into the role with no prior knowledge.”

Determined to succeed, Melanie quickly built capability on the job while completing MITO’s Parts and Accessories programme, gaining foundational knowledge that continues to support her today.

“That training was incredibly helpful. I still apply what I learned in my role today.”

Through the First Line Management programme, Melanie developed the managerial skills required to climb the ladder—particularly in communication, adaptability, and leading people.

“It opened my mind to leading people with different perspectives. I might work with one person one way, but someone else might need a different approach. That’s been one of the biggest lessons for me.”

MITO Training Advisor Eugene Bensemann, who was her Service Manager when she held the Warranty Administrator role first, saw that potential early on.

“Melanie showed real promise from the start. She excelled in every part of her role, was always eager to learn, and was a natural choice for the scholarship,” he says.

Now in a role that demands precision, collaboration, and influence, Melanie thrives on the challenge.

“What I love about this industry is that no two days are the same. There’s always something new to learn—and the people who work in the automotive industry are fun and diverse. I never get bored.”