Melissa, a Sabahan, residing in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia is the Deputy Director of the SE Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP). She has over 13 years’ experience in environmental consultancy and planning; natural resources and conservation management as well as stakeholder engagement. Melissa has been involved in various biodiversity, conservation and social assessments and plans for the government and private sectors and has vast experience in coordinating and facilitating engagements across a diverse range of stakeholders. At SEARRP, she currently leads the delivery of science impacts to policy and capacity building through engagements with a suit of government and civil society partners and recently, in environmental education and outreach programmes.