You know how many people say they “fell into” Jewish communal work? Well, Melissa has pretty much been training for this since day one. Back in college, Melissa was pre-law turned Jewish nonprofit professional when she fell in love with her campus fundraising job and realized she could do this work for the Jewish community… as a career!

Melissa now has over 10 years of experience in fundraising, communications, and program development in established and emerging nonprofit organizations, as well as in university settings. Melissa has worked in key development, strategy and program roles throughout the California nonprofit community, at organizations including UCSD, UpStart Bay Area, Jewish Federations of the East Bay and of Los Angeles. Most recently, Melissa served as the Director of Major Gifts at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA.

Melissa is the Manager of Advancement and Program Services for the Zelikow School. That’s a long way to say Melissa is responsible for helping to bring new students, new funds and more attention to our amazing work here at the Zelikow School. Melissa holds a dual BA in Judaic Studies and American Politics from UCSD (2008), an MPA from USC (2010), and an MAJCS from the Zelikow School (2010).

A “valley girl” born and raised, Melissa loves being back in sunny LA, after a 6-year stint in the beautiful-but-cold SF Bay Area. She and her husband currently live in Studio City. Their home is a blend of their Sephardi, Ashkenazi, conservative and orthodox backgrounds and traditions.