Melissa Leszek
PAREI Board of Directors
Melissa was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania and studied at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, earning her bachelor’s in environmental science while on a four-year athletic scholarship. In 2011, Melissa began her journey in New Hampshire after receiving an internship opportunity at the Squam Lakes Association (SLA) where she immediately fell in love with the beautiful landscape and outdoor community. Following the internship, Melissa moved to New Hampshire permanently and worked for the Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) as a summer field biologist in 2013 & 2014. During that time, Melissa was accepted into the Environmental Science & Policy master’s program at Plymouth State University and received her degree in 2015. Melissa’s master’s thesis was completed in partnership with the LPC, PSU, and New Hampshire Fish & Game on a research project to foster sustainable fishing behavior throughout the entire state of New Hampshire. Following the program, Melissa began working full-time at the Squam Lakes Association, this time as the Community Engagement Coordinator, while also receiving a (Green) MBA Certificate in Sustainability from Antioch University of New England in 2016. Since then, Melissa’s role at the SLA has been in donor management, community relations, grants management, organizational marketing & communications, and coordinating all SLA volunteers. In 2017, Melissa also received a fellowship opportunity with the Environmental Leadership Program, a non-profit organization that supports visionary, action-oriented, and diverse leadership training for a just and sustainable future. In her free time, Melissa enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, music, art, travel, dogs, and all things sustainability!