Recently, Chris Tooker introduced newest member Melissa McDonald. Melissa was born in Baytown, TX, and later moved to Mill Valley, CA, where her father pursued the ministry and attended seminary. She graduated from Tamalpais High School before embarking on her career. A few years after Melissa left to pursue her professional journey, her family was called to Nebraska as home missionaries, and they currently reside in Kearney, NE, along with her sister and nephew.
Famously, Melissa once declared, "I will wait to ya’ll move again as I am never moving to Nebraska." However, 15 years later, she finds herself in Nebraska and thoroughly enjoying it. Six years ago, she moved to Omaha to be closer to her family from the D.C. area and has never looked back. Melissa resides downtown with her partner, Eric, and is a devoted dog mom to a Shorkie (Lex) and a Frenchie (Lola). She is also honored to be a part of Eric's three children's lives: Boston (11), Ashlyne (16), and Madi (20), keeping busy with volleyball and school activities.
Melissa commenced her career in the Air Force straight out of high school, following the tradition of the men in her family who had served. Trained as a surgical technologist, she pursued her business degree at night. During this time, Melissa discovered her passion for healthcare and helping patients with their healing stories. She was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, with an overseas assignment to Camp Doha in the Middle East after 9/11.
After her military service, Melissa settled in the D.C. area to finish her degree and explore career opportunities. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Strayer University with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business, she was inducted into the National Honor and Scholarship Society Member, Alpha Chi.
After her military service, Melissa settled in the D.C. area to finish her degree and explore career opportunities. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Strayer University with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business, she was inducted into the National Honor and Scholarship Society Member, Alpha Chi.
Transitioning from working as a surgical technologist at Georgetown University Hospital to a career in medical device sales, Melissa worked for several surgically based companies in the D.C./Northern Virginia area. She later seized a fantastic opportunity with the biotechnology company Organogenesis, serving as a tissue regeneration specialist covering the entire East side of Nebraska, based out of Omaha. This move allowed her to continue professional development while being physically closer to her family for the first time in 20 years. Two years ago, Melissa was promoted to a national sales training manager role, drawing on her 20-plus years of clinical/sales experience to mentor and support territory representatives across the country, including the West and Southwest.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Melissa's passions include travel, fashion, and spending quality time with family and friends, including her fur babies. She enjoys wine dinners, biking around downtown during the warmer months, and actively engages in physical activities, such as being a member of a CrossFit gym. Additionally, Melissa plays the violin and always has a book in hand.
