Committed individuals who oversee the operation of the Institute, assist with fund-raising, plan projects and participate in community activities on violence prevention.
![Lynn_Aptman](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Lynn_Aptman.jpg)
Lynn Aptman, M.Ed.
Melissa's mother, President and one of the founders of The Melissa Institute
![Michael_Aptman](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Michael_Aptman.jpg)
Michael Aptman, M.D.
Neurologist, Melissa's father and one of the founders of The Melissa Institute.
![Kenneth_Bloom](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Kenneth_Bloom.jpg)
Kenneth Bloom, Esq.
Bloom & Minsker, P.L.
![Karyn_Cunningham](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Karyn_Cunningham.jpg)
Karyn I. Cunningham
Mayor of Palmetto Bay
![Charles Lee Dinkins](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Charles-Lee-Dinkins.png)
Reverend Charles L. Dinkins, MDiv, MBA
CEO of Hosanna Community Foundation Inc.
![Stacy Laffere](http://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Stacy-Laffere.png)
Stacy Laffere
Chief Operating Officer, The Haggard Law Firm
![Jesse-Leon](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Jesse-Leon.jpg)
Jesse Leon, B.S.
Account Director, Discovery Networks International, Latin America Division
![Philipp_Ludwig](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Philipp_Ludwig.jpg)
Philipp N. Ludwig, MBA
Former COO & corporate Vice President
![Donald_Meichenbaum](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Donald_Meichenbaum.jpg)
Donald H. Meichenbaum, Ph.D.
Research Director of The Melissa Institute and Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
![Virginia Pereira Alvarez](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Virginia-Pereira-Alvarez.png)
Virginia Pereira Alvarez
VP of Social Media and Content for Corporate Communications at Western Union
![Lissette_Perez-Lima](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Lissette_Perez-Lima.jpg)
Lissette M. Perez-Lima, Ph.D.
Director, University of Miami Institute for Individual & Family Counseling
![Trish_Ramsay](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Trish_Ramsay.jpg)
Trish Ramsay, M.A.
ACT Raising Safe Kids Master Trainer/Coordinator
![Tom Scolaro](http://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Tom-Scolaro.png)
Thomas Scolaro
Personal Injury Attorney, Scolaro Law
![Vanessa_Silverman](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Vanessa_Silverman.jpg)
Vanessa Silverman, CPA
Former Tax Manager at Deloitte, Vice President of The Melissa Institute
![Maggie_Snyder](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Maggie_Snyder.jpg)
Maggie Snyder, Esq.
Assistant City Attorney with the City of Miami, Office of the City Attorney, Secretary of The Melissa Institute
![Nicholas Suarez – Headhsot](https://melissainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Nicholas-Suarez-Headhsot.jpg)
Nicholas Suarez
Investment Portfolio Associate, Raymond James & Associates