Melissa was appointed CEO in 2021. Prior to that, she served AICAF in several positions that included Interim CEO, Deputy Director, and Cancer Equity Manager. Prior to joining AICAF, she held positions at Sanford Health, Volunteers of America, the Administration for Native Americans in Washington, D.C. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Psychology and American Indian Studies from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Science in Human Development from South Dakota State University. Originally from South Dakota, Melissa is an enrolled member of the Meskwaki Nation in Iowa and Dakota from the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Sioux Tribes.