Melissa, born in Chicago and raised in Evanston, Illinois is now enthusiastically embracing her next chapter. After a long career in Chicago’s Gold Coast in business and commercial property ownership and management she looks to the gratifying endeavor of philanthropy by uniting her personal and foundation mission to support and advocate for others. Melissa is currently aligned with PARTNERS IN HEALTH as a member of the Chicago Women’s Alliance and South Florida Women’s Alliance, THE CHILDREN’S HEART FOUNDATION CHF, and CENTER FOR CHILD COUNSELING, Melissa is finding her personal gratitude and joy.

In 1996, alongside her dear friend and founder of THE CHILDREN’S HEART FOUNDATION Betsy Peterson, Melissa served as one of the organization’s founding members and VP. In 1996 there were no public or private organizations focused solely on Congenital Heart Research. Betsy and Melissa along with dedicated friends and valued members of the medical community came together to create the CHF. Now in 2018 the CHF has grown to include chapters in 19 states all dedicated to raising funds and awareness for congenital heart research.

Melissa’s role as VP and later as President, positively impacted the strength of the CHF advocacy program both in Chicago and in Washington D.C. Her efforts resulted in several groundbreaking areas.

Embracing her next chapter in life Melissa is now guiding her private foundation, THE HALEY FOUNDATION towards the social causes affecting our world. She is grateful and joyful to be able to support and advocate for those organizations working hard to improve the quality of lives through quality health care systems, research, and programs. The Haley Foundation actively supports and advocates for quality health care for all through improved health systems, research, and affordable procedures to improve the lives of women, children, families, and communities.