Melissa previously led communications for Pasa Sustainable Agriculture — a farming research, training, and advocacy nonprofit — and worked with New York City Department of Sanitation’s Bureau of Recycling and Sustainability to support its sustainable food waste programs, including the rollout of the City’s curbside organics collection program. She also served as an in-house graphic designer for the Vera Institute of Justice, a criminal justice reform research and advocacy nonprofit, and supported Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s environmental health initiative.

Melissa additionally co-managed small vegetable and flower farms in Georgia and New York after completing an organic farming training program with The Organic Farm School in Washington state.