Committed individuals who oversee the operation of the Institute, assist with fund-raising, plan projects and participate in community activities on violence prevention.

Michael Aptman, M.D.
Neurologist, Melissa's father and one of the founders of The Melissa Institute.

Kenneth Bloom, Esq.
Bloom & Minsker, P.L.

Karyn I. Cunningham
Mayor of Palmetto Bay

Reverend Charles L. Dinkins, MDiv, MBA
CEO of Hosanna Community Foundation Inc.

Stacy Laffere
Chief Operating Officer, The Haggard Law Firm

Jesse Leon, B.S.
Account Director, Discovery Networks International, Latin America Division

Donald H. Meichenbaum, Ph.D.
Research Director of The Melissa Institute and Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Virginia Pereira Alvarez
VP of Social Media and Content for Corporate Communications at Western Union

Lissette M. Perez-Lima, Ph.D.
Director, University of Miami Institute for Individual & Family Counseling

Trish Ramsay, M.A.
ACT Raising Safe Kids Master Trainer/Coordinator

Thomas Scolaro, Esq.
Personal Injury Attorney, Scolaro Law

Vanessa Silverman, CPA
Former Tax Manager at Deloitte, Vice President of The Melissa Institute

Maggie Snyder, Esq.
Assistant City Attorney with the City of Miami, Office of the City Attorney, Secretary of The Melissa Institute

Nicholas Suarez
Vice President, Banker at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Treasurer of The Melissa Institute