Melanie S. Robbins was born and raised in Framingham Massachusetts. She attended Drew University in Madison, NJ; where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Political Science, Middle East Studies & Gender Studies. Melanie has an MA in Security and Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University. Melanie is an experienced professional in domestic and international nonprofit management including fundraising, project management, financial management, communications, and marketing campaigns for social impact. She is an expert in constituency building, media relations, and government relations. Melanie worked in the nonprofit sector in Israel-Palestine on peace and justice. Upon return to the US, Melanie joined the Anti-Defamation League, first as Assistant Director for Interfaith-Intergroup Relations in NY state, then later as Director of Community Engagement, and then Deputy Director for New York and New Jersey.