Melissa Merriam

Melissa Merriam is a seasoned professional in conservation and program operations, currently serving as Senior Director of Program Operations at the National Wildlife Federation since May 2015. In this role, Melissa leads a high-performing team to enhance operational excellence across over $50 million in conservation and education initiatives, collaborating closely with senior leadership to translate strategic goals into actionable plans. Prior experience includes key operational leadership positions at the National Wildlife Federation, along with roles as a Conservation Biologist and academic contributions through a Master's thesis on leatherback turtle conservation. Melissa holds a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.