Melanie Whittaker is the head of membership & development for GMF’s Leadership Programs and is based in the Berlin office. In this capacity, she works on GMF's Leadership Programs where she manages the selection processes for GMF’s key fellowship programs, alumni relations, as well as fundraising and business development. Previously, she worked on a broad spectrum of programs for GMF in Berlin. Prior to joining GMF, she held various managerial positions in the hotel industry in Germany, England, and the United States. Her expertise includes fundraising, leadership assessment, diversity and inclusion, public diplomacy, transatlantic relations, and German politics. She holds a BSc in politics and international relations from the London School for Economics and Political Science. She obtained certificates for human resources management as well as Executive Leadership from Cornell University. Ms. Whittaker is a trustee for the British American Drama Academy in London (UK) and serves as a lay judge at the Regional Court for Berlin. She is fluent in German and English.