Melissa Perkins
Chief Development Officer
Melissa joined CRF with nearly two decades of experience in philanthropic leadership and a deep connection to the underwater world. As Chief Development Officer, she works with individuals and organizations to turn passion into action for coral reefs.
Throughout her career, Melissa has led transformational fundraising campaigns, communications initiatives, and institutional advancement programs for educational, workforce development, and environmental organizations. She earned her Doctor of Public Administration and M.S. In Nonprofit Leadership from Walden University and a B.A. in History from the University of Maryland. Melissa is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).
An avid cave and technical diver, Melissa’s love of the underwater world extends beyond professional conservation work into active exploration and stewardship of the world’s unique underwater environments. She volunteers with Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) and the Florida Springs Institute and is a dive team member with the Woodville Karst Plain Project (WKPP).
