Melissa Zurlinden
About Melissa Zurlinden
Melissa Zurlinden serves as the Director of People Operations and Technology at FullStory, where she focuses on fostering environments that enable team members to reach their full potential. With a background in education and operations, she previously held various roles at Achievement First and has a strong foundation in business administration and education.
Current Role at FullStory
Melissa Zurlinden serves as the Director of People Operations and Technology at FullStory. She has held this position since 2022. In this role, she focuses on creating efficient operations that prioritize the well-being of team members. Melissa emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in her approach to people operations, ensuring that every initiative aligns with the overall goals of the organization.
Previous Experience at Achievement First
Prior to her current role, Melissa Zurlinden worked at Achievement First for six years, from 2016 to 2022. She held multiple positions, including Senior Director of School Operations and Director of School Operations. In these roles, she was responsible for overseeing school operations and implementing strategies that supported educational outcomes. Additionally, she worked as an Associate in Human Capital from 2010 to 2012.
Educational Background
Melissa Zurlinden earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, where she studied from 2002 to 2006. She later pursued a Master of Science in Education at City University of New York-Hunter College, completing her studies from 2008 to 2010. This educational background supports her expertise in people operations and educational leadership.
Early Career and Teach For America
Melissa began her career as a Corps Member with Teach For America from 2008 to 2010. This experience provided her with insights into educational environments and the challenges faced by educators. Following this role, she worked as a Senior Business Analyst in Sourcing at Target from 2006 to 2008, where she developed her analytical skills and business acumen.
Leadership Philosophy
Melissa Zurlinden advocates for creating environments that enable team members to reach their full potential. She believes in the power of collaboration and emphasizes the need to remove obstacles that hinder progress. Her leadership philosophy balances vision and execution, allowing her to effectively strategize and implement operational plans.