Unity Environmental University is proud to welcome two accomplished leaders to its Board of Trustees: Melissa G. Waller, a global finance executive and institutional investor, and Brian D. Zeve, a technology strategist and former senior executive at IBM and Microsoft. Together, they bring decades of leadership and a shared commitment to advancing sustainability, innovation, and access in higher education.
“Melissa and Brian bring unmatched expertise in their fields and a deep belief in our mission,” said Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, CEO of Unity Environmental University. “Their leadership will help Unity continue building a multifaceted educational organization that meets learners where they are, and prepares them to lead where the world is going.”
Waller currently serves as President of AIF Global and the AIF Institute, holds senior roles at the Kenan Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill and the National Institute for Public Finance, and has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the private, public, and academic sectors, including over $100 billion in fund management. In these spaces, she often initiates and observes critical discussions at the intersection of sustainability and business.
“I continue to be inspired by Unity’s bold approach to leading innovation in education to meet the needs of a changing world and most importantly, to make education accessible and affordable,” said Waller. “I look forward to working with Unity’s CEO, Dr. Melik Khoury, the Unity Team, and my fellow Trustees to create opportunities for the next generations of environmentally responsible students and to foster sustainability in education, business, and government.”
Waller added, “Higher education should remain at the forefront of meaningful change. A university that not only embraces change, but enables and fosters it, aligned with a strong mission of helping create a better world, will make an immediate and lasting impact.”
Zeve brings more than 25 years of experience in technology commercialization, strategic partnerships, and business development. At IBM, he led the mainframe systems and software IP licensing team and secured over $1 billion in strategic investments. He also held senior roles at Microsoft and ADP, and now advises emerging technology companies across multiple sectors.
“I’m honored to join Unity Environmental University’s Board of Trustees during this exciting time of growth and transition,” said Zeve. “This unique opportunity allows me to help foster educational innovation while supporting the university’s mission of developing environmentally competent professionals who will tackle real-world challenges.”
“Serving on Unity’s board offers an opportunity to support writing the playbook for the future of higher education rather than following it. It’s incredibly meaningful to contribute to an institution that’s not only preparing environmental professionals but also demonstrating how higher education can be more equitable, flexible, and responsive,” he added.
Board Chair Sharon Reishus added, “We are thrilled to welcome Melissa and Brian to Unity’s Board of Trustees. Their perspectives will be invaluable as we expand our reach, strengthen our industry-leading governance, and lead with purpose in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.”
Unity Environmental University continues to grow its national footprint through innovative, flexible, and affordable degree programs rooted in environmental and social impact.
