Melissa Extein has served as one of CREIO's Graduate Assistants since 2004. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with Distinction from Yale University in 2001. Currently she is an advanced doctoral candidate in the Organizational Psychology program at Rutgers University's Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. Through her involvement with CREIO, Melissa has established its monthly newsletter, organized its first research conference, co-authored an article on emotional intelligence in the Educational Psychologist, and lectured on the subject at both Rutgers's Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership and Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. Melissa now edits CREIO's newsletter and coordinates its member meetings.

Melissa's consulting work applies theories of emotional intelligence, group development, leadership, and embedded inter-group dynamics to both for- and non-profit organizations. She specializes in organizational assessment, executive coaching, adult learning and training, program planning and evaluation, and nonprofit leadership. Her wide-ranging interests have led her to consult to organizations in the areas of international development, environmental and human rights, the arts, affordable housing, education, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and business development. Proficient in both Spanish and Portuguese, she has also held leadership and teaching positions that have brought her to Spain, Cuba, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Cambodia. Melissa is a member of the American Psychological Association's Division 27 (Society for Community Research and Action).