Melissa DiBona
Chief of Staff
With nearly three decades of experience at Operation Smile, Melissa DiBona has developed programs and built operational strength for the organization through U.S. and global resources. In her current role, DiBona works closely with the co-founders and executive leadership to help identify funds and support programs in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. She implements legacy projects and cross-departmental initiatives such as Operation Smile’s global cleft research program, the International Family Study (IFS) which has collected extensive environmental, lifestyle and genetic data on patients with cleft conditions and families. During her long involvement with Operation Smile, DiBona has developed nutrition programming, hospital partnerships and organizational capacity for student engagement, government relationships and diplomatic partnerships.
Prior to joining Operation Smile, DiBona worked in government, serving as U.S. Congressional press secretary and as a press secretary and editor to the U.S. House Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare. She was a presidentially appointed spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice, directing media and public outreach for legal cases related to federal issues of tax fraud, immigration and environmental litigation.
Originally from Cazenovia, New York, DiBona received a B.A. from Connecticut College, supported by literature studies at the University of Aberdeen. She is based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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