Melissa Gusdorf is a Northern Virginia native who believes deeply in the importance of protecting wildlife and creating a healthier planet for us all. Family is at the center of everything she does, and some of her favorite moments are spent traveling, relaxing at the beach, and making memories with her children. She values the sense of connection and perspective that comes from slowing down and appreciating the world around her.
Melissa joined the National Wildlife Federation in 2016 after spending years working in nonprofit fundraising and communications. She first fell in love with fundraising because of its power to connect people to causes they care about and create meaningful change. A lifelong animal lover, Melissa later realized she could combine both passions through the Federation. Before joining, she worked with the Association of Fundraising Professionals to support ethical fundraising practices nationwide. Helping people turn their values into impact has remained at the heart of her career.
She earned her degree in Marketing and Communications from George Mason University and spent a year studying abroad in Sydney, Australia. Melissa still lives in Northern Virginia and hopes to one day add a fur-baby to the family.
