Melissa Persaud
Board Member at Unlock Aid- Claim this Profile
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French -
Topline Score
Bio
Charishma Chotalia
I had the pleasure of working with Melissa for almost two years. During that time, I was continually impressed by the initiative she took to build out our internal processes as we grew from a small startup into a larger company, and by her willingness to always jump in and lend a helping hand when there was a tight timeline for a project/project proposal. I have the utmost respect for Melissa as both a colleague and a friend -- her work ethic and drive to get things done while maintaining a cheerful disposition are truly commendable. I hope we have the chance to work together again one day.
Kevin Schuster
Even though I had been at VOTO before Melissa arrived, I quickly realized how much I could learn from how Melissa developed partnerships and from how she exhibited leadership from within VOTO. Melissa showed numerous times the ability to build trust with partners, to understand their needs, and to turn this understanding into the design of M4D programs that could create tangible impact for the partners' end-beneficiaries. Melissa also provided internal leadership during a key growth phase at VOTO as she took initiative to adapt many of our processes and to be a voice for maintaining alignment with our mission and culture as we scaled our staff and program reach. I hope to have the opportunity to work alongside Melissa again.
Charishma Chotalia
I had the pleasure of working with Melissa for almost two years. During that time, I was continually impressed by the initiative she took to build out our internal processes as we grew from a small startup into a larger company, and by her willingness to always jump in and lend a helping hand when there was a tight timeline for a project/project proposal. I have the utmost respect for Melissa as both a colleague and a friend -- her work ethic and drive to get things done while maintaining a cheerful disposition are truly commendable. I hope we have the chance to work together again one day.
Kevin Schuster
Even though I had been at VOTO before Melissa arrived, I quickly realized how much I could learn from how Melissa developed partnerships and from how she exhibited leadership from within VOTO. Melissa showed numerous times the ability to build trust with partners, to understand their needs, and to turn this understanding into the design of M4D programs that could create tangible impact for the partners' end-beneficiaries. Melissa also provided internal leadership during a key growth phase at VOTO as she took initiative to adapt many of our processes and to be a voice for maintaining alignment with our mission and culture as we scaled our staff and program reach. I hope to have the opportunity to work alongside Melissa again.
Charishma Chotalia
I had the pleasure of working with Melissa for almost two years. During that time, I was continually impressed by the initiative she took to build out our internal processes as we grew from a small startup into a larger company, and by her willingness to always jump in and lend a helping hand when there was a tight timeline for a project/project proposal. I have the utmost respect for Melissa as both a colleague and a friend -- her work ethic and drive to get things done while maintaining a cheerful disposition are truly commendable. I hope we have the chance to work together again one day.
Kevin Schuster
Even though I had been at VOTO before Melissa arrived, I quickly realized how much I could learn from how Melissa developed partnerships and from how she exhibited leadership from within VOTO. Melissa showed numerous times the ability to build trust with partners, to understand their needs, and to turn this understanding into the design of M4D programs that could create tangible impact for the partners' end-beneficiaries. Melissa also provided internal leadership during a key growth phase at VOTO as she took initiative to adapt many of our processes and to be a voice for maintaining alignment with our mission and culture as we scaled our staff and program reach. I hope to have the opportunity to work alongside Melissa again.
Charishma Chotalia
I had the pleasure of working with Melissa for almost two years. During that time, I was continually impressed by the initiative she took to build out our internal processes as we grew from a small startup into a larger company, and by her willingness to always jump in and lend a helping hand when there was a tight timeline for a project/project proposal. I have the utmost respect for Melissa as both a colleague and a friend -- her work ethic and drive to get things done while maintaining a cheerful disposition are truly commendable. I hope we have the chance to work together again one day.
Kevin Schuster
Even though I had been at VOTO before Melissa arrived, I quickly realized how much I could learn from how Melissa developed partnerships and from how she exhibited leadership from within VOTO. Melissa showed numerous times the ability to build trust with partners, to understand their needs, and to turn this understanding into the design of M4D programs that could create tangible impact for the partners' end-beneficiaries. Melissa also provided internal leadership during a key growth phase at VOTO as she took initiative to adapt many of our processes and to be a voice for maintaining alignment with our mission and culture as we scaled our staff and program reach. I hope to have the opportunity to work alongside Melissa again.
Experience
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Unlock Aid
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United States
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International Affairs
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1 - 100 Employee
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Board Member
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Jan 2022 - Present
Founding Unlock Aid Board Member representing Fraym and our work in international development to transform the way development dollars are spent to move the needle on impact through already scaled solutions. Founding Unlock Aid Board Member representing Fraym and our work in international development to transform the way development dollars are spent to move the needle on impact through already scaled solutions.
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Fraym
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United States
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Market Research
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director, Growth
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Mar 2019 - Present
Building and leading teams that bring the power of community-level data to the world’s most pressing challenges. Building and leading teams that bring the power of community-level data to the world’s most pressing challenges.
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Viamo
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Canada
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International Trade and Development
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200 - 300 Employee
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Director of Partnerships
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Jul 2015 - Mar 2019
Maintaining existing and building new relationships with impact-oriented partners in order to provide more choices for more voices around the globe. Maintaining existing and building new relationships with impact-oriented partners in order to provide more choices for more voices around the globe.
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Robin Hood
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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100 - 200 Employee
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Special Assistant
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2015 - 2015
- Supported the Human Capital department - Served as interim program officer for the Jobs and Income Security portfolio - Evaluated current partners and made future funding recommendations - Supported the Human Capital department - Served as interim program officer for the Jobs and Income Security portfolio - Evaluated current partners and made future funding recommendations
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DAI
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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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ICT Innovations Fellow
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Jun 2014 - Aug 2014
Consulting for the USAID "Cambodia Development Innovations (DI)" project, which aims to foster a social innovation eco-system in Cambodia by connecting individuals, civil society organizations (CSOs) and technology service providers (TSPs) in order to create technology-based solutions to Cambodian development challenges. - Designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems for DI Lab - Assisting in the idea/project design process - Creating outreach and events plan for the DI Lab Show less
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Peace Corps
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United States
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International Affairs
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700 & Above Employee
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Community Economic Development Volunteer
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Jun 2011 - Jun 2013
Partnered with a host institution to improve their capacity and impact in the community. Work primarily in three domains: Small Business and Group Management, Project Design and Management, and Organizational Support. • Program Assessment and Evaluation: Conducted annual organizational assessments and provided feedback to the organization. Collaborated with group members to focus the mission of the group. Led strategic planning workshops with host organization that resulted in a 5-year strategic plan. • Project Design and Management: Facilitated project design workshops, grant writing seminars, and action planning sessions with host institution. Implemented projects funded by the U.S. State Department and Peace Corps Partnership Program. • Small Business and Group Management Training: Trained over 400 women in small business management. Provided leadership and group management training to 10 women’s groups. Show less
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PowerMyLearning
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United States
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Primary and Secondary Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Development Associate
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May 2010 - May 2011
• Communications and Development: Responsible for approximately 30% of the annual national development revenue. Developed and maintained corporate relationships into event sponsorships and general support to CFY. Managed major gifts program in coordination with CEO. Worked to improve the donor management system and literature. • Board Management: Planned and organized the quarterly Board meetings. Provided logistical support to CFY department heads and Board members. Managed Board committees and activities. • Event Planning: Responsible for the national fundraising gala, re-branded the event in 2011 and increased event revenues by 40%. Provided support for events hosted by local offices in Atlanta, San Francisco, and New York City. Show less
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Director of Fundraising and Development
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Sep 2008 - May 2010
• Nonprofit Fundraising/Event Planning: Planned events for up to 300 guests: identified the venues, created and executed the fundraising plans, worked with targets to attain fundraising goals. Provided logistical support. • Political Fundraising/Event Planning: Created and utilized databases for each client; staffed and tracked call-time with clients. Organized frequent fundraising events, from house parties to district-wide events. • Political Campaigning: Executed campaign plans for clients, including targeting and outreach. Organized and trained up to 75 volunteers for door-to-door and phone-bank solicitation. Drafted and finalized campaign documents, including endorsement questionnaires and campaign literature. Secured endorsements from local leaders, unions, and PACs. • Internship Program: Managed firm-wide internship program. Grew the program from three to twelve participants. Show less
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Lafayette College
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Resident Advisor
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Aug 2007 - May 2008
Organized bi-weekly events that were self-initiated or campus supported. Advertised events, mediated conflict, worked as a liaison between the College, specifically the Office of Residence Life, and the residents of the Residence Hall. Enforced rules and regulations and was exposed to diversity training and have worked well with people with a wide-range of interests and background Organized bi-weekly events that were self-initiated or campus supported. Advertised events, mediated conflict, worked as a liaison between the College, specifically the Office of Residence Life, and the residents of the Residence Hall. Enforced rules and regulations and was exposed to diversity training and have worked well with people with a wide-range of interests and background
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Intern
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Feb 2007 - May 2007
Conducted research on drinking water quality and regulation globally. Created fact sheets regarding drinking water quality by region for the Young Water Professionals program of IWA. Coded and created a survey regarding the use and impact of the IWA network. Results from study were used for membership, programming and advertising improvements. Improved written and verbal communication skills. Conducted research on drinking water quality and regulation globally. Created fact sheets regarding drinking water quality by region for the Young Water Professionals program of IWA. Coded and created a survey regarding the use and impact of the IWA network. Results from study were used for membership, programming and advertising improvements. Improved written and verbal communication skills.
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Education
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Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs
Master of Public Administration (MPA), Development Practice -
Lafayette College
BA, International Affairs and Political Science -
Boston University