Melissa Ceriale

Melissa Ceriale is a multifaceted individual with a diverse range of interests and accomplishments. She served as the Chair of the Shore Protection Board in Palm Beach for the past several years before terming out of her role in December of 2025. Her commitment to environmental conservation is evident in her leadership role in launching significant beach renourishment projects for 2025.  

Locally, she also participates actively in the Palm Beach Civic Association’s health and  membership committees. 

In the realm of healthcare, Melissa was a trustee for the Montefiore Health System in New York for 15 years as well as a trustee for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine for the past 5 years, where she served as the Chair of Development.  

She is also a Founding Advisory Member of the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures. 

Melissa’s educational background includes a degree from Michigan State University’s School of Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management. Her professional career began with a sales role at Marriott Hotels & Resorts, followed by establishing Prospect Design & Build, LLC, a construction management firm, where she oversees multiple projects annually. 

Melissa is actively involved in politics, particularly passionate about supporting women governors. She is currently serving as the first Finance Chair for the Women Governors Fund at the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), a role she was asked to take on by Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts. 

In philanthropy, she has focused the Ceriale Family Foundation giving to underserved children, the advancement of science and, most recently, with a 20M gift for student mental health services at Cornell University where they hope to not only meet the growing demands for access to mental health services but also to replicate effective programming on college campuses across the country. 

Melissa & John have raised four children and her personal interests include cooking, art, gardening, and landscape/interior design and construction. She has a talent for recognizing, organizing, and creating spaces that provide educational and immersive experiences.