Melissa is the director of research at 1000 Feathers. Her roles and responsibilities include integrating ecological perspectives, strengthening community inclusion and partnership, and guiding the firm’s data, research, and evaluation work.

Melissa brings over a decade of leadership experience in strategy, social change, capacity building, and data across public and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, she served as the Chief Strategy and Implementation Officer at Children’s Trust of South Carolina, where she led teams that built systems and infrastructures for population health programming, community coalitions, training, and research and evaluation to prevent child maltreatment. Melissa played a key role in determining strategic direction for the organization and developed statewide and community-based initiatives and models to prevent adversity and build well-being. As a collaborative partner, she built co-ownership and infrastructure for the South Carolina Adverse Childhood Experiences Initiative, South Carolina Child Well-being Coalition, and Race Equity and Inclusion Partnership.

Prior to joining 1000 Feathers, Melissa held roles at Children’s Trust of South Carolina, the Center for Child and Families Studies at the University of South Carolina, and affiliate investigator faculty appointments at the University of South Carolina. She holds a PhD in community psychology from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, MS in general psychology from the University of West Florida, and a BS in psychology from Eckerd College (Florida). Melissa also has a graduate certificate in nonprofit management and is certified in results-based accountability.

Originally from Wisconsin (Go Pack Go!), Melissa has lived in several southern states, South Korea, Italy, and now resides in Nevada with her husband and two adorable cats. Melissa and her husband, Brandon, enjoy hosting friends and family, reading, listening to records, cooking, playing golf and pickleball, hiking, and traveling.