In 1999, at 31, Melissa Weiler Gerber became the youngest executive director of WOMEN'S WAY -- the nation’s oldest and largest women’s funding federation raising money and public awareness to fight for/achieve women’s equality, safety, self-sufficiency and reproductive freedom through women centered funding, advocacy and education. Melissa is responsible for the strategic direction and the development/implementation of a dynamic fundraising plan to raise WOMEN’S WAY's annual revenue (nearly $1.7 Million in 2007). As the organization's public face and voice, she leads a critical community dialogue about issues impacting women, girls and families.

Melissa has had a rich history of public service in Philadelphia. While in private practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, she co-chaired the Philadelphia Bar Association (PBA) Chancellor's Coalition on Children at Risk and co-founded its Coalition on Children and Families. She received an award from the PBA's Young Lawyers Division for her community service.

Currently serving as vice chair of the Board of Governors of Hahnemann University Hospital, Melissa also is a member of the Board of Directors of the Forum of Executive and the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. She was named one of Philadelphia's 101 most connected people by Leadership Philadelphia.

Melissa has received numerous honors, including the Women’s Resource Center’s Making a Difference Award and the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Take the Lead Award. The Philadelphia Business Journal ranked her among Philadelphia’s “40 Under 40” for her outstanding professional and community leadership.