Melissa joined the National Advisory Council with expertise in community-based mental health, prevention science, and program development. Her career has centered on partnering with families living in communities affected by poverty and inequity. She was Director of Curriculum at Room to Grow from 2016 to 2021, during which time she was honored to lead the collaborative, multi-year process of documenting Room to Grow’s strengths-based curriculum. She played a critical early role in the expansion of Room to Grow’s curriculum to formally include the expertise and leadership of program graduates.

Melissa brings a warm, collaborative spirit to all of her endeavors. She was formerly Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the NYU Child Study Center, where she co-directed clinical and community engagement efforts for ParentCorps. She has facilitated numerous professional learning workshops for early childhood educators and social workers at NYC Pre-K for All. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania with a minor in African American Studies, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Yale University.