Melissa Ceriale most recently served as Chair of the Shore Protection Board for Palm Beach, which advises the Town Council on matters related to coastal protection. She is a trustee for the Johns Hopkins Health Corporation and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As of 2025, Melissa has been the finance chair for the Democratic Governors Association’s Women Governor’s Fund where she is working to help elect more women executive leaders across the country. Locally, she is the island’s precinct leader for the FL Democratic Party, she has worked 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 and growth opportunities in underserved communities including access to mental health services for youth. Melissa has a talent for recognizing, organizing and creating spaces and opportunities that provide educational & immersive experiences. Her personal commitment to health finds expression in cooking, art, vegetable gardening, landscape / interior design and construction.