Melissa earned her master's degree in film producing from the AFI Conservatory in Los Angeles at age 29.
Melissa is originally from Minnesota.
Melissa won two 2015 student Emmys from the Television Academy for her master's thesis film, Stealth. 1st place Children's Program and the Bricker Humanitarian Award.
Melissa's film, Stealth, won the tiff.Kids Festival Adult Jury Award for Best Live-Action Short Film (Toronto, April 2015).
Melissa wrote her multi-award winning film, Stealth, in April 2013.
Melissa's film, Stealth, won Honorable Mention - LGBT at the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase in Cannes. (May 2015).
Melissa's film, Stealth, is nominated for a 2015 student Academy Award. It is one of seven finalists in the Narrative category.