Melissa May manages the Population Council's public information office. She has more than 15 years' experience in the telecommunications, high-tech, and transportation industries and has been active in professional, community, and academic organizations. Her previous work experience includes serving as director of marketing for Digevent, managing the public relations and promotions functions at AirTouch Cellular, and managing the public relations department of Airborne Express.

May has undergraduate and graduate degrees in public relations and marketing from Purdue University and the University of Texas at Austin. She has extensive experience with public affairs, event planning, media relations, community outreach, and sponsorship activities. She is former president of the Orange County, California chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and co-chaired the host committee for that organization's 1999 International Conference. She received the chapter's Distinguished Service Award and several Protos and Totem awards. May is accredited (APR) in public relations.

May sat on the Marketing Communications Advisory Board for the University of California, Irvine, Extension program, and the Chapman University Public Relations Advisory Committee. She has taught public relations at New York University, the University of Phoenix, and Kutztown University and has spoken on marketing communications and public relations issues and on Web event management. She has conducted media training for global audiences. May is a member of Toastmasters International, an organization dedicated to the promotion of communications and leadership skills.