As UIDP's events associate and a member of the ERVA events team, Melissa Drake brings more than four years of event planning experience and provides support to plan and coordinate numerous conferences, workshops, and other events throughout the United States, internationally, and virtually every year. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications. Prior to joining UIDP's events team, Drake worked for a land conservation non-profit as their marketing and communications coordinator.