Melissa Stutzbach

Melissa Stutzbach is the Director of Landcare for PHS, where she leads a nationally recognized model that transforms urban neighborhoods by cleaning, greening, and maintaining vacant lots. At PHS, she directs the development of new initiatives and the expansion of the LandCare program, overseeing the long-term strategy, determining the scale of the work to be performed each season, and cultivating key partnerships to ensure the successful delivery of the program.

Melissa is a nonprofit executive leader and occupational therapist with extensive experience and passion for the intersection of green spaces, health, and quality of life. Prior to joining PHS, Melissa was the Vice President of National Programs and Impact Measurement at Rebuilding Together, a home repair nonprofit for low-income homeowners. In her role, she led program development, grant implementation, and a multi-year, multi-phase program evaluation plan to track the impact of services on the health, safety, well-being, and financial stability of the individuals and communities served. In other previous roles, she worked for professional associations to advance evidence-based practice, academic partnerships, leadership development, and business operations initiatives.

Melissa is a Distinguished Fellow for the National Academies of Practice, a recognition for an exemplary career committed to interdisciplinary collaboration and accessible, affordable healthcare for all. In her free time, Melissa enjoys romping in the Wiss with her puppy, watching seedlings grow, and laying in the sun.