Melissa Herlitz is a Senior Scientific Manager in the Risk Assessment and Adaptation Strategies (RAAS) Division at Fondazione CMCC@Ca’Foscari, having joined in 2024. Most recently, Melissa worked as a sustainability specialist for an Italian manufacturing company. Previously, Melissa worked at Michael Baker International as a hazard mitigation planner and for the NYC Department of City Planning as a flood resilience planner. In these roles, Melissa oversaw projects to adapt zoning and land use to future sea level rise and flood risk, while also engaging stakeholders on policy changes. Melissa holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Humanities (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, 2023), a Master’s of Urban and Environmental Planning (University of Virginia, 2012) and a Bachelor of Science in Community Development (Portland State University, 2010).