"I extremely passionate about all outdoor spaces for reflection, recreating, and education. The work that we do within National Forests will ensure that my young daughter and her children and children's children will get to enjoy their importance for years to come."
BIO
Melissa Richards joined the Nation Forest Foundation in March 2023 as the Chief People Officer. Prior to joining NFF, Melissa was the Chief Human Resources Officer of Verland. Melissa has served as a Vice President of Human Resources, Director of Human Resources and Community Relations, and various other executive level roles since 2010. During her 20 years of experience in human resources, Melissa has mastered skills in strategic change management, professional development, compensation, benefits, performance management, employee & labor relations, DEI, and various HRIS tools.
In addition, Melissa has had the honor to work and support one of the economic businesses of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. With the breath of Melissa’s experience in human resources, she has led the HR functions for organization that range from 100 to 1400 team members.
During Melissa’s tenure in human resources, she has participated in several community and professional organizations. Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability’s Racial Equity and Engagement Taskforce, Institute for Economic Development Chester Neighborhood Stabilization Committee, Society of Human Resources Management Northern Michigan Chapter, are just to name a few. She has sat as a board member for the Chester Charter School of the Arts, Northern Michigan Society of Human Resource Management, Zonta International Petoskey Chapter, Petoskey Chamber of Commerce, and Hospitality the Little Traverse Way. In 2022 Melissa was awarded the Front of the Front Lines Leader of Distinction from HRO Today in the Healthcare leader sector.
When Melissa is not enjoying the career that she loves, you will see her and her family enjoying the outdoors in Tionesta, PA, riding her motorcycles through the luscious mountains of the Allegheny, or throwing axe for competition.