Melissa is the Program Manager for the Sustaining Peace Project at AC4.
Melissa is a certified mediator, linguist and conflict specialist, experienced in program & partnership development. Having worked for ten years in both the private & public sectors, within the Middle East region, studying the languages and cultures that define it, Melissa is especially passionate about strategic development across diverse, often contentious lines, and believes uplifting collective human experiences is central to a just, thriving, resilient world.
Throughout her work and studies, Melissa took special interest in promoting thoughtful integration of technology into peacebuilding programs and social impact ventures. Currently, Melissa serves as Advisor to the University for Peace (UPEACE) NY Mission to the United Nations where she co-founded and directed the Peace Innovation Initiative, in partnership with UPEACE, with a mission to create and enable a global practice of peace through innovation. Melissa is a PhD candidate in Applied Anthropology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her current research focuses on understanding how peacebuilders talk about and integrate digital technology into their work. She holds an M.A. in Peace and Conflict Management from the University of Haifa and a B.A. in Arabic and Sociology from Georgetown University. Melissa is committed to harnessing new technologies for conflict transformation, collaborative leadership, and the right to self-determination for all people