Melissa O'Karma
mokarma@brandeis.edu
781-736-2029
Associate Director of External Engagement
Education
- Heller School for Social Policy, Brandeis University | MBA, Nonprofit Management
- Northeastern University | BSBA, Marketing
Profile
Melissa oversees Hiatt Career Center's strategy for employer engagement, as well as alumni, parent and volunteer engagement with Hiatt and manages staff with focused roles in each area. Her responsibilities include strategic planning, volunteer management, event planning and program evaluation. Melissa works collaboratively with the Alumni Board and Office of Alumni Relations to generate professional development and networking opportunities for alumni, as well as creates meaningful connections between alumni and current Brandeis students.
Before joining Brandeis, Melissa held senior-level management positions at various nonprofit organizations, including St. Francis House, Boston Public Health Commission and Wide Horizons for Children. In these roles, she focused on organizational design, volunteer development, career coaching and external relations. Melissa holds a BSBA in marketing from Northeastern University and an MBA in nonprofit management from the Heller School of Social Policy at Brandeis.
Outside of the office, Melissa enjoys group fitness classes, reading, traveling and spending time with her husband, their two daughters and puppy Ruth Boxer Ginsburg (aka Rue).