Melissa J. Kopolow has built a career defined by purpose, leadership and commitment to creating a more sustainable and equitable world. As vice president of sustainability at Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington, District of Columbia, she leads initiatives that unite global strategy, social impact and environmental responsibility. Her work reflects a deep understanding of how business, policy and human welfare intersect, and she approaches each partnership with the conviction that sustainability is not only a corporate goal but a shared global responsibility.
Ms. Kopolow’s academic training laid the foundation for her multifaceted career. She earned a Master of Arts in international relations from American University in Washington, District of Columbia, and a Bachelor of Science in speech from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Her studies in communication and global affairs equipped her with the diplomatic and analytical skills essential to her later work in negotiation, policy development and international collaboration. Among her many honors are multiple meritorious awards from the United States Department of State, which recognize her contributions to diplomacy and international cooperation.
In her role, Ms. Kopolow oversees management, budgeting, mentoring and recruitment, responsibilities that mirror the complexity and influence of senior-level leadership. She collaborates with private sector companies across industries, as well as with family philanthropies, foundations, multilateral organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Her guidance spans a wide range of sustainability priorities, including climate, health, social impact and human rights, with a consistent focus on linking initiatives to measurable outcomes that improve people’s lives and the planet’s well-being.
Ms. Kopolow’s expertise extends to helping companies navigate and comply with evolving regulations across markets, ensuring their ability to operate responsibly and effectively. She evaluates how regulatory frameworks affect company operations, personnel and stakeholders, drafts policies related to human rights and environmental, social and governance matters, and develops public-private partnerships across countries.
As an external advisor to directors and C-suite executives, Ms. Kopolow provides strategic insights that help organizations adapt, innovate and lead during times of change. Her exceptional leadership was recognized when she received the Visionary Award from the Hydrocephalus Association for her advocacy and public health work. Her professional stature was further affirmed when she joined a panel at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and later assumed the position of co-chair for the Committee on Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs at the United States Council for International Business.
In addition to her leadership at Albright Stonebridge Group, Ms. Kopolow contributes as a nutrition and brain health policy advisor at the Brain Health Education and Research Institute in Potomac, Maryland. In that advisory role, she draws on her background in public health and policy to support initiatives that promote neurological wellness and evidence-based approaches to nutrition and cognition.
Ms. Kopolow’s prior experience reflects a steady progression through complex and influential roles in both public and private sectors. As global director of policy at AB InBev, she guided international policy strategies, engaged with diverse stakeholders and ensured alignment between corporate responsibility and operational objectives. Earlier in her federal service, she worked as a senior health advisor and alternate United States representative to the Organization of American States at the Department of State, advancing policies supporting democracy, health, human rights and sustainable development across the Americas. She also gained valuable experience as cross-practice coordinator at Counterpart International, where she promoted collaboration across program areas to improve institutional effectiveness.
Ms. Kopolow began her federal career as a presidential management fellow at the United States Department of Commerce, where she developed a deep appreciation for the intersection of governance, economic development and public service. Throughout her career, she has valued the mentorship of leaders who have shaped her professional and personal growth. She credits Margaret Bond, a former State Department colleague, with teaching her the importance of authenticity; Elaine McCrimmon, her supervisor at AB InBev, for reinforcing the need for professional boundaries; and Melissa Estok, her mentor at Albright Stonebridge Group, for strengthening her confidence in expressing honest and constructive counsel.
Beyond her career achievements, Ms. Kopolow’s dedication to civic and community engagement mirrors her professional integrity. She serves on the advisory group for the B20 South Africa Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture Task Force and has long been involved with the Parent and Family Advisory Committee at Children’s National Hospital. She co-chairs the National WALK for the Hydrocephalus Association and contributes to MATAN, reflecting her ongoing commitment to health advocacy, family well-being and inclusive community support.