Melissa, a native of Philadelphia, served in the FBI's New York City and Cleveland field offices. Prior to her FBI service, she was a counselor in a rape crisis center.  Over the course of her FBI career, she investigated public corruption matters, operated as an undercover agent and served as a hostage negotiator. She graduated from the London Metropolitan Police's (Scotland Yard) Hostage Negotiator Course in 2019 and led FBI Cleveland's Crisis Negotiation Team for 10 years.  
 
Melissa will be sharing stories from her involvement in a long-term FBI undercover investigation, Operation Royal Charm. This project included operational travel to Thailand, foreign-based organized crime figures (involved in weapons trafficking, counterfeit money and drugs) and a unique ruse to arrest the targets of the operation in the U.S.  
 
Melissa and her husband, Jeff, are parents to Sophia '26, Layla and their two rescue dogs. The Fortunatos are Gates Mills residents and are in the process of restoring their 170-year-old home.