Melissa Diamond

Melissa Diamond is a humanitarian and social entrepreneur who is committed to creating an inclusive world where every individual is valued for their traits and experiences. As the Executive Director of the non-profit A Global Voice for Autism, Diamond equips conflict-affected communities with the skills to support the development and success of children with autism and trauma-related behavioral challenges in their classrooms, homes and communities. Diamond has worked extensively with refugee communities through her work with A Global Voice for Autism, as well as at The Melissa Network in Athens, Greece, at the International Organization for Migration in Cairo, Egypt, and as the former President of the Board of Directors of Refugees Welcome-USA. Diamond graduated with distinction as a Rotary Peace Fellow from the University of Bradford with a Master of Arts in Conflict, Security and Development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Peace and Conflict from the University of Richmond, where she was a Boatwright Scholar and a Carole M. Johnson Memorial Scholar. Diamond is also a Watson Scholar, a Resolution Fellow and an American Middle East Network for Dialogue at Stanford (AMENDS) Fellow. Her achievements have been recognized by global forums ranging from the Global Entrepreneurship Community Summit in Malaysia to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.