Melina Davis to deliver 2020 commencement speech

Dec. 7, 2020 - Melina Davis

Melina Davis is a Virginia-based community leader and innovation and strategy expert. Melina’s path has shifted throughout her career and she continues to find new passions and opportunities for growth. She is a member of Hyperloop Transportation Technology, Inc.’s network of contributors and serves as HyperLeader as part of HTT’s U.S. Public Affairs Team.  She is also the Chief Executive Officer and EVP of the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV). MSV is the professional association for physicians in the commonwealth. Melina began leading MSV in 2014 and is responsible for managing all MSV related companies including the MSV Insurance Company, MSV PAC and the MSV Foundation. 

She is a public health executive with expertise in leadership, innovation, and business, as well as an experienced community and health advocate. Over the past 20 years, Melina has become a thought leader and strategist in the nonprofit industry with executive expertise in management, technology, cause marketing, engagement and strategic partnerships. She also founded PlanG Holdings, Inc., a company and cause marketing engagement platform. Melina with two other co-founders was granted a US Patent related to this start-up. 

Melina is known for her entrepreneurial approach and ability to motivate and stimulate creativity and deliver impactful results. To date she has raised more than $110 million dollars for health and human services. Previously, she served as the CEO of the American Lung Association of the Atlantic Coast, as Vice President of Core Technology and President of the National MS Society of Central Virginia. 

As a result of her commitment to change and community growth Melina was selected as one of “Richmond’s Top 40 Under 40” by Inside Business in 2002, Richmond Magazine’s “20 People to Watch in 2009” and Virginia Business Magazine’s “30 People on the Move” in 2013. As Founder of PlanG she was also recognized with Richmond Venture Forum’s Bright Future Award and RichTech’s Emerging Technology Company Award and in Fortune Magazine and FastCompany. 

She also serves on the Board of Virginia Credit Union as governance chair, MSVIA, Inc., MSVF, and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation, and the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance as vice president. She also serves on the Executive Committee of the American Medical Association’s Advocacy Resource Center.  Melina received an M.B.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a B.A. degree in International Studies from the University of South Carolina.