Melissa acted as one of two statewide navigators in the Small Business Administration-funded Community Navigator Pilot Program to funtimd and facilitate pandemic-responsive projects that linked Vermont businesses with Vermont vendors on service projects. Prior to working with CVEDC, Melissa spent 16 years working with Waitsfield-based book publisher Chooseco, where she managed editorial, print production, and licensing for the company.  She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center. Melissa graduated from Johnson State College in 2005 after attending Hampshire College and the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts. Melissa enjoys writing, reading, and art, and was twice a Full Fellow at the Vermont Studio Center. She lives in Waitsfield with her family.