Melissa Thomas Email & Phone Number

Nairobi, Kenya

Lead engagement with companies, NGOs and other palm oil stakeholders to align supply chain, market and investment interventions with demonstrated sustainable production and conservation outcomes; Lead cross-institutional team to implement CI's global palm oil strategy and facilitate greater collaboration and knowledge exchange across divisions; Cultivate and steward fundraising relationships with multiple donors, including private sector partners, foundations and high net-worth individuals.

Nairobi, Kenya

Provide technical leadership to CI's sustainable palm oil program; Contribute to global palm oil strategy and priority-setting; Lead strategic palm oil partnerships with companies, initiatives and NGOs; Ensure effective implementation and delivery of projects.

Led institutional effort to promote demand for sustainable palm oil in the US market; Developed communications and guidance materials on sustainable palm oil for private sector audiences and consumers; Managed relationships with corporate partners, and implemented sustainable supply chain projects.

Managed process to develop strategic vision for CI's Center for Environmental Leadership in Business; Provided research and analysis for special projects to advance CELB thought leadership, with a specific focus food and agriculture, freshwater, gender, and impact assessment.

Arlington, Va

Led the development, communication, and implementation of CI’s internal risk assessment and management process for its corporate relationships; Built capacity among CI field programs and HQ divisions to engage with and fundraise from the private sector; Led, managed, and provided support for the development of proposals and reports to corporate donors; Managed CI’s cause-related marketing program.

Arlington, Va

Managed and conducted due diligence research in support of CI's risk assessment process; Managed and provided high-level reporting on CI’s corporate fundraising goals.

Provided research and administrative support to CELB's Corporate Partnerships program.

Provided research and administrative support to Dr. Lee Hannah for "Climate Change and Biodiversity" (Yale UP, 2005).

Ba, International Affairs - International Environmental Resources; German Language & Literature

European Society & Culture

Completed a study abroad program in Vienna, Austria during the 2003-04 academic year.