Melissa Manchester, CSMFO Executive Director
How long have you been with CSMFO, and what’s your role?
I’m the Executive Director for CSMFO, a role I’ve held since January 2009 (12 years!).
What do you like best about your job/with CSMFO?
The culture of the organization. Everyone is helpful, willing to lend a hand to make someone’s job easier or answer a difficult question. Everyone pulls together for the betterment of the association and the profession, and I’m honored to be part of that team.
What’s your favorite Halloween/scary movie?
Nightmare Before Christmas. Which is also one of my favorite Christmas movies. I basically watch it for three months straight. Though I’m also a fan of old-school Nightmare on Elm Streets. No one puns like Freddy!
What was your favorite costume from Halloweens past?
In my 20s, when American Pie came out, I had short red hair and was often told I looked like Allison Hannigan. One year I went as her character from American Pie, and was instantly recognizable. Another favorite is when I wore pajamas and my Hollywood Tower Hotel robe, and went as a ‘guest/ghost’ of the hotel (aka Tower of Terror). Not as many people got that one!
If you had to dress up as a CSMFO staff or leadership member for Halloween, who would you choose and why?
Probably President-Elect Marcus Pimentel. It would give me an excuse to buy a Disney Tommy Bahama shirt and go around wearing flip flops.
Melissa Manchester, CAE, has served as CSMFO’s Executive Director since January 2009. Recently having started her own association management firm, Melissa is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in administrative and management services to trade associations. Melissa graduated from California State University, Sacramento, where she received a bachelor’s degree in English, and earned her MBA from Walden University with a concentration in nonprofit administration. Melissa received the prestigious Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) in 2010, and does everything within her power to bring not just exceptional and professional service but also fun and laughter to her clients.
