Melissa D. Ho, Ph.D., is a mission-driven executive whose career bridges science, policy, and strategy to confront the world's most pressing challenges—from food and nutrition security to freshwater resilience, climate justice, and biodiversity loss. With over 20 years of global leadership experience, she has shaped and executed high-impact strategies across public, philanthropic, and private sectors, directing portfolios exceeding $1B. Melissa has held senior roles at WWF-US, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, USAID, the Gates Foundation, and US Congress championing systems-level change grounded in scientific rigor, integrated strategies, inclusive policymaking, and community-led solutions. Her work is distinguished by an ability to translate complexity into action, build cross-sector coalitions, and drive measurable impact. A scientist by training and strategist by practice, she holds advanced degrees in plant biology, soil science, and environmental science and serves on global boards advancing equity, innovation, and sustainability.
