Melissa was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, where she spent her early years before moving to New Jersey, where she grew up. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she spent a significant portion of her youth living in Lima, Peru, a country with deep roots in her family's heritage, as her father is Peruvian. This unique upbringing gave her a distinct cultural perspective, shaped by her German, Cuban, and Ukrainian heritage.
Melissa's academic pursuits took her to The American Business School in Paris, where she studied abroad and developed a strong foundation in international marketing. She later graduated from Pace University in New York with a degree in international marketing, solidifying her academic credentials.
In addition to her academic achievements, Melissa has a passion for acting, which she has pursued through extensive training with renowned coaches such as Harold Guskin and Gary Marks. She has also honed her skills at Margie Haber's studio in their intensive advanced course.
Melissa made her acting debut in the movies of the week, The Saint and Grace of God, before transitioning to feature films with her debut in the summer of 2015 with the theatrical release of In Stereo, where she played the support female lead. Her impressive filmography includes notable roles in Shark Lake, I am Wrath (starring John Travolta),The Neighbor, Snipped in the Bud, I'll be Home for Christmas, The Institute (starring James Franc0),and Dog Eat Dog, in which she acts opposite Nicolas Cage.
Films featuring Melissa and set for release in 2017 include Billy Boy, Frat Pack, The Year of Spectacular Men, Mara, The Super, Malicious, and the highly anticipated Hurricane Heist, directed by Rob Cohen.
Melissa has graced the covers of numerous magazines, including Vanidades, the largest Spanish language magazine in the US, as well as fashion editorials for Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, Forbes, Flaunt, Latina, Bella, Vanidades, and Vanity Fair. She has also been featured in GQ UK and has been the 'Lovely Lady of the Day' twice for Sports Illustrated. Her modeling career has taken her to work with esteemed brands such as Ferrari, Charlotte Olympia, Gents, Beach Bunny Swimwear, and Love Haus Lingerie. Most recently, she collaborated with Canvas by Lands End.
Melissa's philanthropic efforts began in her youth and have grown exponentially in scale since. In 2013, she became the charity ambassador for Gents, raising money for the James Blake Foundation. For the past three years, she has supported Sean Penn's J/P Haitian Relief Organization and helped raise money for the Clinton Foundation. In 2015, The New York Observer recognized Melissa as a leading young philanthropist. She also supports the Algemiener News, ASPCA, AmFar, CAA Foundation, and Stylight (Purple Day). Melissa was also a guest blogger for Vanity Fair and was featured in the Vanity Fair Hollywood edition as "Who's that Girl?." She also writes Fashion Blogs for Bella Magazine.
Melissa splits her time between New York City and Los Angeles, where she resides with her three small dogs and travels extensively for work.
