Melissa A. Berman
President and CEO, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Inc. and
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Columbia Business School

Melissa Berman is President and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Inc., an innovative nonprofit philanthropy service founded by the Rockefeller family.   Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ mission is dedicated to helping donors create thoughtful, effective philanthropy throughout the world.  The organization advises private donors; manages foundations and trusts; structures giving programs and major gifts; offers a charitable giving fund; and coordinates donor collaboratives.  In 2006, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors managed or facilitated more than $135 million in giving to 25 countries.

Ms. Berman has led Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors since January 2001. 

A frequent speaker, Ms. Berman has been profiled in the New York Times, Stanford Social Innovation Review and Bloomberg Markets. Her ideas and views have also been featured in the Economist, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Financial Times, Journal of Financial Planning, Chronicle of Philanthropy and Contribute. She has been interviewed on the Today Show and NPR, among other media outlets. She has written articles for the New York Times, Across the Board, Alliance and other leading publications.

Ms. Berman is a director of City Harvest, the Foundation Center, and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. She is a member of the national advisory panel for New Ventures in Philanthropy.  She serves as a Judge for the Ron Brown Award for Corporate Citizenship, a presidential award. Ms. Berman holds a B.A. from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from Stanford University.