Melissa Ceriale serves as Chair of the Shore Protection Board, which advises the Town Council on matters related to coastal protection. She has been a trustee for the Montefiore Health System for 15 years and a trustee for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine for the last 5 years. As of 2025, Melissa has taken on the role of Finance Chair for the Democratic Governors Association Women Governor’s Fund where she is working to help elect more women governors across the country. Locally, Melissa is the precinct leader for the FL Dem Party on the island, she has become active with the United Way Allocations Committee and is an active participant with the PBCA health and membership committees. Upon completing her degree at Michigan State University’s School of Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management, Ms. Ceriale had a sales career with Marriott Hotels & Resorts, followed by a second career as principal of Prospect Design & Build, LLC, a construction management firm. Melissa and her husband, John Ceriale, have raised four children which led to her involvement in education reform with Teach for America. Melissa has a talent for recognizing, organizing and creating spaces and opportunities that provide educational and immersive experiences.  Her personal commitment to health finds expression in cooking, art, vegetable gardening, landscape/interior design and construction.