Melissa coaches partner school districts across the country to identify and execute on priorities. Her approach focuses on aligning powerful leader development with effective systems of internal accountability. Her strongest passion is to ensure equitable outcomes for all kids, and she frames leader and organizational support as essential drivers to achieve this aspiration.

As a relatively new teacher, Melissa was tapped to lead a teacher team, then to serve as an assistant principal. She found that her coaching and support to others led to positive impact beyond a single classroom, and she determined she was ready to lead.

After 4 years teaching 8th grade social studies in Derry, NH, Melissa became an assistant principal and enrolled in Harvard’s Graduate School of Education to pursue a master’s degree and principal licensure. Upon graduation, she went on to serve as principal of the largest middle school in Massachusetts before returning to Harvard to pursue her Ed.D. in the Urban Superintendents Program. While earning that degree, Melissa interned with the superintendent in the Charleston County School District, SC. She then transitioned from intern to Cabinet-level leader and worked in the district for nearly three years.

Melissa initially joined Studer Education as a research fellow while completing her doctoral dissertation on the impact of an evidence-based evaluation for school and district leaders. She has now been coaching Studer Education partners for five years.

Melissa is most proud of her effective engagement with committed leaders who arrive at work each day ready to make a difference for kids. Her impact through their growth and development matters most. She celebrates achievements led by impactful superintendents and teams in Chippewa Falls and West Allis-West Milwaukee, WI; Birmingham, AL; and the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District, TX.

Ed.D. Urban Superintendents Program | Harvard University Graduate School of Education
M.Ed. School Leadership | Harvard University Graduate School of Education
M.Ed. Education Policy & Management | Harvard University Graduate School of Education
B.A. History | Brown University