MELISSA D. MUENDEL, PH.D.
Dr. Muendel is the Director of Operational Assistance for the Southern Appalachian Fund.

Dr. Muendel has been the Director of Research for Pathway Lending (formerly Southeast Community Capital), which is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) engaged in lending activities throughout southern Appalachia, since 1999.  She was also the Director of Research for Technology 2020 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, an entrepreneurial economic development, a public-private partnership connecting innovation, entrepreneurs, and capital.

Prior to joining Southeast Community Capital, Dr. Muendel worked as a research consultant. She also served previously as the President of the American Chamber of Commerce Research Association, and she was the Director of Research for the Greater Knoxville (TN) Chamber of Commerce for nine years. Prior to joining the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Muendel worked as an archaeologist and historian.

Dr. Muendel has a Bachelor’s degree in history, a Master’s degree in Near Eastern Archaeology, and a Ph.D from the University of Tennessee in Anthropology. She is a member of numerous organizations, including the Society for Competitive Intelligence, and has served previously on the Board of Directors for the American Chamber of Commerce Executives and the American Economic Development Council.