Melissa Parmelee recently joined Audubon Louisiana as its Director of Development.  Melissa is responsible for all fundraising efforts in collaboration with all departments and Audubon Louisiana's advisory board. Her role consists of various activities, including major gift, special events, affinity groups, board development and cause marketing.

Melissa’s experience ranges from small nonprofits, such as Baton Rouge Epicurean Society, to larger nonprofits, American Red Cross and United Way. She has held board and leadership positions on many organizations including Forum 35, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Manship School for Mass Communication Alumni Board, Junior League of Baton Rouge and Baton Rouge Leadership Alumni. In addition to being a certified fundraising executive, Melissa is a  Business Report’s Forty Under 40 honoree, Forum 35 member of the year and named the inaugural recipient of the BR Original Young Professional.

Melissa is a graduate of LSU, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication in 2005.