Melissa Smith Haley, LMSW is the Vice President of Program Operations for Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana. She has successfully managed several state and federal contracts totaling over million
dollars annually and a staff of over 100. During her 20-year tenure at the
organization she has held the following positions:

• Facility Manager-Single Room Occupancy for Recovering Addicts
• Assistant Program Director of Substance Abuse Services
• Program Director of Recovery Services
• Program Director of Children and Family Services
• Program Director of Supportive Services

Melissa has been promoted several times with a well-deserved reputation for getting things in order. Her duties include staff training, program growth, contract implementation, budget development and management, hiring, program outcomes, quality assurance and stakeholder engagement. Melissa received her bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Xavier University, LA and a master’s degree in social work from Clark Atlanta University, GA. She was an Adjunct Professor at Southern University in New Orleans from 2017 -2021. She teaches social work students Diversity, Administration, Planning and Community Organizing. Melissa is currently enrolled at Morgan State University Doctoral Social Work Program. Melissa is the 14th President of the National Association of Black Social Workers. She has served as President of the Clark Atlanta University and Metro District of Columbia Chapters. She was the National Vice President, National Member at large, National Conference Co-Chairperson for four years and National Plenary Co-Chairperson. Melissa has been a guest lecturer, panelist and board members for national social work organizations and universities including The National Association of Social Work, National Association of Deans and Directors, Social
Work Leadership Round Table; The Grand Challenges of Social Work. She was appointed in 2022 by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and currently serves on the Louisiana Board of Social Work Examiners.
Melissa has been married for 28 years to Attorney Okyeame Haley, son of New Orleans Civil Rights Activist Richard and Oretha Haley. Okyeame and Melissa have two daughters Nia is a pharmacist alumnus of Hampton
University, VA and Kai a Howard University Alumni. Haley’s reside in New Orleans. Melissa is a second-generation Social Worker who grew up in St. Louis, MO with her parents Dr. Fredrick E. Smith and Colonel (Ret) Mary Smith. Melissa has been a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers for over 30 years. She began volunteering as a
student in New Orleans in 1993. Melissa is passionate about the community in which she lives and serves. She is a strength-based practitioner who is committed to debunking negative stereotypes and helping others self-actualize. Her personal mottos are “No one should be defined by their challenges.” and “Liberation is not a spectator’s sport.