Melissa Moye leads WWF’s Conservation Finance Program which creates market-based financing approaches to achieve WWF’s conservation and sustainable development goals. Recognized as a start-up specialist, Melissa catalyzed the creation of several conservation funds in Africa and built the financial architecture for multi-country partnerships such as the Yaoundé Forest Summit and Global Tiger Initiative. Melissa’s current work focuses on conservation investment and permanent financing for protected areas.
Prior to joining WWF in 2003, Melissa negotiated debt-for-development swaps and advised developing country governments on debt re-negotiation strategies. At Manufacturers Hanover Trust, Melissa managed a loan portfolio for bank clients in North Africa. Melissa began her career in government working for the City of Boston, and supervised elections in Cambodia and Bosnia.
Melissa has a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Melissa lives in Washington DC with her husband.