Melissa Benn
Founding Head of Customer Success at Pioneer- Claim this Profile
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English Native or bilingual proficiency
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French Limited working proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Amy Ostrander
Melissa is a pleasure to work with. She’s focused, collaborative, and produced high quality results on schedule. I supervised Melissa on a short-term contract for several deliverables including drafting, carrying out, and presenting analysis from a survey, and writing an internal lessons-learned guidance document. She understood what we needed and got to down to work quickly and hit all of her deadlines. Her analysis was on point - providing great, actionable insight for our teams on each assignment. She also worked well across multiple teams. I would be happy to work with Melissa again.
Rob Henning
Melissa is an unstoppable force in the workplace. I’ve had the pleasure of supervising Melissa for over three years at two different organizations. I first met her on the agriculture practice at Chemonics International and was so impressed with her work that I recruited her to join my team at the Foundation for a Smoke Free World (FSFW). What consistently amazes me with Melissa is the energy and dynamism she brings to any task. She has exceeded expectations on assignments as diverse as developing new business processes, researching and writing technical content, and organizing high-profile public events. A great example of her ability to
Amy Ostrander
Melissa is a pleasure to work with. She’s focused, collaborative, and produced high quality results on schedule. I supervised Melissa on a short-term contract for several deliverables including drafting, carrying out, and presenting analysis from a survey, and writing an internal lessons-learned guidance document. She understood what we needed and got to down to work quickly and hit all of her deadlines. Her analysis was on point - providing great, actionable insight for our teams on each assignment. She also worked well across multiple teams. I would be happy to work with Melissa again.
Rob Henning
Melissa is an unstoppable force in the workplace. I’ve had the pleasure of supervising Melissa for over three years at two different organizations. I first met her on the agriculture practice at Chemonics International and was so impressed with her work that I recruited her to join my team at the Foundation for a Smoke Free World (FSFW). What consistently amazes me with Melissa is the energy and dynamism she brings to any task. She has exceeded expectations on assignments as diverse as developing new business processes, researching and writing technical content, and organizing high-profile public events. A great example of her ability to
Amy Ostrander
Melissa is a pleasure to work with. She’s focused, collaborative, and produced high quality results on schedule. I supervised Melissa on a short-term contract for several deliverables including drafting, carrying out, and presenting analysis from a survey, and writing an internal lessons-learned guidance document. She understood what we needed and got to down to work quickly and hit all of her deadlines. Her analysis was on point - providing great, actionable insight for our teams on each assignment. She also worked well across multiple teams. I would be happy to work with Melissa again.
Rob Henning
Melissa is an unstoppable force in the workplace. I’ve had the pleasure of supervising Melissa for over three years at two different organizations. I first met her on the agriculture practice at Chemonics International and was so impressed with her work that I recruited her to join my team at the Foundation for a Smoke Free World (FSFW). What consistently amazes me with Melissa is the energy and dynamism she brings to any task. She has exceeded expectations on assignments as diverse as developing new business processes, researching and writing technical content, and organizing high-profile public events. A great example of her ability to
Amy Ostrander
Melissa is a pleasure to work with. She’s focused, collaborative, and produced high quality results on schedule. I supervised Melissa on a short-term contract for several deliverables including drafting, carrying out, and presenting analysis from a survey, and writing an internal lessons-learned guidance document. She understood what we needed and got to down to work quickly and hit all of her deadlines. Her analysis was on point - providing great, actionable insight for our teams on each assignment. She also worked well across multiple teams. I would be happy to work with Melissa again.
Rob Henning
Melissa is an unstoppable force in the workplace. I’ve had the pleasure of supervising Melissa for over three years at two different organizations. I first met her on the agriculture practice at Chemonics International and was so impressed with her work that I recruited her to join my team at the Foundation for a Smoke Free World (FSFW). What consistently amazes me with Melissa is the energy and dynamism she brings to any task. She has exceeded expectations on assignments as diverse as developing new business processes, researching and writing technical content, and organizing high-profile public events. A great example of her ability to
Credentials
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Personal Impact and Influence Masterclass
Body TalkSep, 2021- Sep, 2024 -
First Aid/CPR
Red CrossMar, 2019- Sep, 2024
Experience
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Pioneer
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United States
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Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Founding Head of Customer Success
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Jul 2023 - Present
Owns customer pipeline and accountable for success. Jumping in when needed and where needed.
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Founding Operations Lead
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Apr 2023 - Jul 2023
General operations, strategy, business development, customer success, culture development, product discovery, research, customer discovery, recruiting, and sales. Jumping in when needed and where needed. Joined as employee #1, pre-seed.
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USDA
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United States
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Government Administration
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700 & Above Employee
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Independent Reviewer
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Jun 2023 - Jul 2023
Independent Reviewer for a USDA program. Independent Reviewer for a USDA program.
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Self-employed
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Real Estate
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1 - 100 Employee
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Independent Consultant
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Jan 2023 - Apr 2023
Independent consulting with various clients. Services include: business development, strategy, federal contracting & grants. Independent consulting with various clients. Services include: business development, strategy, federal contracting & grants.
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UNOVA
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United Kingdom
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Chemical Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Business Development MBA Intern
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Jul 2022 - Aug 2022
Unova is a blockchain network and web3 infrastructure running the UON cryptocurrency & designed for linking the stakeholders involved in supply chains, with a special focus on the food industry. MBA Intern focusing on business development at a high-growth, early-stage start-up. Unova is a blockchain network and web3 infrastructure running the UON cryptocurrency & designed for linking the stakeholders involved in supply chains, with a special focus on the food industry. MBA Intern focusing on business development at a high-growth, early-stage start-up.
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Resonance
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France
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Civic and Social Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Innovation and Business Development Consultant
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Dec 2020 - Oct 2021
Strategy and Innovation: - Strategic development for the USAID Promoting Excellence in Private Sector Engagement (PEPSE) project, in support of the newly established Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) Innovation Team in the development of their mission, strategy, and operational plan. Conducted over 50 interviews with key internal and external staff resulting in a work plan and foundational strategy charter for implementing innovative US Government humanitarian assistance. - Developed a scoring tool and access to finance strategy to connect 10,000 micro and small Syrian-led enterprises in Turkey to financing. - Developed a Knowledge Management and Learning Framework to mainstream Private Sector Engagement in humanitarian programming Business Development: - Managed capture processes: leads the organization of the process and supports research, partner discussions, recruitment, strategy, and more. - Managed a team of 11 staff and 7 partners to develop a $23m USAID proposal for sustainable fisheries management & conservation in Indonesia. - Technical writing, final report and proposal editing. Show less
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Food Systems Foresight
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United States
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Business Consulting and Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Consultant: Innovation Workstream Lead
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Apr 2021 - Jul 2021
Conducted a discrete research activity to identify innovations related to behavior change and food safety that could serve as Analogous Inspiration for inspiring food safety interventions in informal markets in Nigeria. Worked within the Google Design Sprint process, following the tenants of Human-Centered Design. Ensured quality and rigor in process and output. Conducted a discrete research activity to identify innovations related to behavior change and food safety that could serve as Analogous Inspiration for inspiring food safety interventions in informal markets in Nigeria. Worked within the Google Design Sprint process, following the tenants of Human-Centered Design. Ensured quality and rigor in process and output.
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Ashoka
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United States
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Civic and Social Organizations
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500 - 600 Employee
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Strategic Partnerships Intern
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Jan 2021 - May 2021
- Supported the design of a new unrestricted fundraising strategy focused upon supporting girls of color and other historically underrepresented cohorts in becoming the next generation of Changemakers. - Supported the development of pitch materials to various clients for Changemakers’ brand and products. - Supported the development of a structure to enable Changemakers to fundraise $300,000 in unrestricted funding by August 2021. - Supported the design of a new unrestricted fundraising strategy focused upon supporting girls of color and other historically underrepresented cohorts in becoming the next generation of Changemakers. - Supported the development of pitch materials to various clients for Changemakers’ brand and products. - Supported the development of a structure to enable Changemakers to fundraise $300,000 in unrestricted funding by August 2021.
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Chemonics International
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United States
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International Trade and Development
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700 & Above Employee
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Temporary Agriculture & Food Security Practice Team Manager
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Nov 2020 - Jan 2021
- Designed, implemented, and analyzed a companywide survey on perceptions of the Agriculture & Food Security Practice team. Presented survey results and recommendations to help determine strategic priorities. - Wrote an internal brief and an external Marketlinks blog on an innovative agriculture app in Georgia. - Supported the team in various collateral and research materials. - Designed, implemented, and analyzed a companywide survey on perceptions of the Agriculture & Food Security Practice team. Presented survey results and recommendations to help determine strategic priorities. - Wrote an internal brief and an external Marketlinks blog on an innovative agriculture app in Georgia. - Supported the team in various collateral and research materials.
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Foundation for a Smoke-Free World
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United States
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Non-profit Organization Management
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Program Analyst, Agriculture & Economic Diversification Programs
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Aug 2018 - Sep 2020
- Managed $25m in six grants focused on investment facilitation, women's entrepreneurship, resilience planning, and agriculture diversification in Malawi. - Designed and directed innovative solicitations, including a pitch day for a $10m Center of Excellence, and created department-wide standard operating procedures for grants. - Managed a three-day international summit with 200+ local/international attendees. - Supported the Agricultural Transformation Initiative (ATI) in Malawi to catalyze innovation and investment into alternative livelihoods for smallholder farmers in tobacco-dependent Malawi. Show less
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Manager: Agriculture and Food Security Practice and FEWS NET Markets & Trade
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Apr 2018 - Aug 2018
Agriculture and Food Security Practice:- Managed a team of two associates. - Executed technical writing assignments and provided input in strategic new business development. - Created conference proposal submissions and represented Chemonics at technical industry events. FEWS NET Markets & Trade: - Served as the Markets and Trade (M&T) Operations Coordinator of the M&T team for the USAID-funded, five year Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) project.- Supported the home office M&T team with the logistical and administrative support necessary to assure the technical team is able to successfully complete a number of market decision support products. Worked with a large, multi-million dollar USAID budget, many expatriate personnel, subcontractors, and challenging contractual issues. - Assisted the M&T team to provide quality control for consultant deliverables and helped to ensure that M&T related activities and products were delivered in a timely manner. - Contributed to technical work, such as literature reviews, secondary data entry and analysis, preparing charts and graphics, and data and reference management. Show less
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Senior Associate: Agriculture and Food Security Practice and Project Management
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Jul 2016 - Apr 2018
Agriculture and Food Security Practice:- Contributed to thought-leadership, new business development, project management, and management and leadership. - Conducted technical research, and developed primers and other technical tools and resources. - Established professional connections in the home- and field-offices to facilitate the flow of technical information for application to development challenges. Project Management:- Served as a member of the project management unit (PMU) for the USAID-funded, $200 million, five year Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) project. - Worked from the home office to provide administrative and management support to FEWS NET project offices in East Africa, including the regional Kenya office, South Sudan, and Sudan. - Monitored monthly budget expenditures and reforecasts according to project needs. - Recruited and fielded consultants and expatriate staff. - Facilitated procurement processes including the development of RFPs and drafting of subcontracts and leases. - Provided extensive support to USAID business development efforts. Show less
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Associate: Executive Office
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Apr 2015 - Jun 2016
- Provided targeted support to the President and CEO, Executive Vice Presidents, CFO, Executive Management Team, and the Board of Directors- Backstopped Chemonics’ membership to external organizations and coordinates logistics for industry outreach efforts for annual conferences, dinners, and working group events held on site. Attended such events to promote external industry relations and deepen understandings of the prevailing thought leadership.- Facilitated operational logistics for the Executive Division and Executive Management Team. - Took on corporate research assignments, coordinates Executive Management Team weekly meetings, and contributes to corporate communications by producing materials such as meeting agendas, notes, and monthly digests. - Carried out corporate and project related research.- Participated in proposal teams to provide research, writing, and administrative support to proposals and the new business unit in varying regions and practice areas. Show less
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Temporary Associate: Human Resources
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Aug 2014 - Apr 2015
Provided general human resources assistance by supporting the Employee Services department in an effort to capture all local national employees’ personal and employment information into the Human Resources Information System (HRIS) for 3,500 employees. Various tasks and duties include data entry into the HRIS/payroll system, creating PINs for local hire employees, coordinating closely with Lifecycle, Benefits Payroll Compliance, and Finance managers to accomplish tasks, and comply with Chemonics policies and standard operating procedures.Experience developing new business proposals with USAID, including past performance write-ups and researching and creating benefits documentation for 20 different countries. Show less
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Environmental Policy Intern
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May 2013 - Aug 2013
- Supported World Environment Day, UNEP's Capitol Hill Oceans Week display and Two Minutes on Oceans with Jim Toomey. - Attended and shared notes on conferences, launches, and meetings. - Assisted with climate change and resource efficiency projects including sustainable consumption and production, sustainable buildings and cities. - Assisted with outreach to various UNEP stakeholders. - Researched and drafted reports. - Supported World Environment Day, UNEP's Capitol Hill Oceans Week display and Two Minutes on Oceans with Jim Toomey. - Attended and shared notes on conferences, launches, and meetings. - Assisted with climate change and resource efficiency projects including sustainable consumption and production, sustainable buildings and cities. - Assisted with outreach to various UNEP stakeholders. - Researched and drafted reports.
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AmeriCorps
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Government Administration
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700 & Above Employee
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NCCC Corps Member
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Oct 2009 - Jul 2010
- Construction for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana. - Maintenance, cooking, and cleaning for Camp Hope volunteer base camp in New Orleans, Louisiana. - English, math, and French tutor at Pioneer High School, Woodland, California. - Fuel reduction and building restoration at Camp de Benneville Pines in Angelus Oaks, California. - Construction for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana. - Maintenance, cooking, and cleaning for Camp Hope volunteer base camp in New Orleans, Louisiana. - English, math, and French tutor at Pioneer High School, Woodland, California. - Fuel reduction and building restoration at Camp de Benneville Pines in Angelus Oaks, California.
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Education
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2021 - 2022
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Master of Business Administration -
2021 - 2022
University of Oxford
Master of Business Administration - MBA -
2019 - 2019
Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business
Getting Gender Smart Course Certificate, Investments and Securities -
2010 - 2014
Duke University
Bachelor's degree, Food Studies and Environmental Policy -
2012 - 2012
Madagascar Study Abroad
SIT (School of International Training), Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management
Community
