Our Team
Melissa McDaniel
Owner/Operations Director
Melissa is an entrepreneur, dance educator, and social justice advocate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and her Masters in Business Administration from Strayer University. She has actively worked in a wide variety of industries and was a key contributor to the growth of companies like CBS Radio, M&S Restaurant Group, and Ratner Company. She has been active in local and national organizing efforts and managed multiple field campaigns for local progressive political candidates as well as MoveOn.org. She formed Thriving Ivy Unlimited in 2017 to meet the needs of organizations and businesses who need support in building operational infrastructure to effectively mobilize for social change. The company provides operations management and implementation support, program and event coordination support, and partnership and network development services through an equity lens. Thriving Ivy Unlimited is proud to help clients build the infrastructure and capacity they need to make a meaningful positive impact in various movements of liberation.
Serra Gingrich
Operations Manager
Serra is an operations and project manager with an extensive background in social justice work. She graduated cum laude with her BA in Political Science from Heidelberg University in 2015. While earning her Juris Doctor from the University of Akron, Serra worked in both the nonprofit sector and with the Ohio state government to further her understanding of systemic oppression and the deeply-rooted structures of injustice that affect minority communities. Serra has been working with Melissa McDaniel 360 and Thriving Ivy Unlimited since September 2020, helping to operationalize social justice movements and assist activism-based organizations in the furtherance of their business initiatives. Serra is deeply committed to anti-racism work and allyship, and continues to work diligently to help support and empower those in the activism space.
Rotrina Campbell
Program Specialist
Rotrina Campbell is the Program Specialist for Thriving Ivy Unlimited. She is also a resident of Charlotte, NC. She has had the opportunity to work with several companies, individuals, campaigns and non-profits, giving her a range across fields working within the political, corporate and non-profit sector.
Lexxi Reid
Administrative Assistant
Lexxi is the administrative assistant for Thriving Ivy Unlimited. Through her work in the nonprofit sector, she has been able to help bring resources and support to her community. Leadership and the ability to uplift and direct teams in a positive and helpful manner comes second nature to Lexxi. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Pace University in Business Administration. Her passions lie with helping support and bring resources to the black and brown community along with other minority groups facing inequality in the U.S.