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Who We Are
About The GREEN Program Team
How It All Started
Melissa Lee discovered her love for the environment at a young age, and was travelling before she could walk. No matter the place, she always found comfort and inspiration in nature and the richness of diverse cultures beyond her own.
At just 11 years old, Melissa completed her first open-water dive off a remote island in Malaysia, her family’s homeland. This experience deepened her passion for our oceans and the environment. She realized a powerful truth: when people are given the chance to connect deeply with nature, it can ignite a lifelong commitment to protecting it.
From that moment, Melissa knew her path was clear—she wanted to dedicate her life to safeguarding the environment and supporting communities facing the frontlines of the climate crisis. In 2009, alongside fellow Rutgers University students who shared her adventurous spirit and vision, she founded The GREEN Program out of her dorm room. Their mission was—and continues to be—to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders worldwide.
Today, The GREEN Program has grown to engage more than 4,000 students and professionals globally. Our team remains driven by a passion for climate justice and a commitment to exploring the complex challenges that affect both people and the planet. Together, we’re building a future where education and action go hand in hand to create meaningful change.
Our Values
STAY CURIOUS.
We put education first, fostering curiosity, continuous growth, lifelong learning, and a passion for knowledge that drives real change.
CHASE ADVENTURE.
Step outside your comfort zones, embrace creativity, and pursue new experiences that inspire personal and collective growth.
TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY.
Travel and engage with humility and cultural sensitivity, honoring the traditions, environments, and communities we visit.
BE YOU, BOLDLY.
Be your authentic self. With us, you’re encouraged to bring bold ideas to an inclusive space where everyone is empowered to challenge the status quo and drive progress.
EDUCATION WITH IMPACT.
Knowledge is only meaningful when it inspires action. We are committed to transforming learning into tangible, positive change by empowering individuals to apply what they learn in ways that make a real difference for people and the planet.
Our Team
The GREEN Program’s team combines deep expertise in international education, social impact, curriculum development, innovation, responsible tourism, and sustainability. Guided by a shared passion for travel and the belief that the world is the ultimate classroom, our leaders bring vision and purpose to everything we do.
Our faculty and global experts hail from top universities and organizations in key sustainability hubs worldwide. Their diverse expertise spans sustainable development, climate change, economics, climate migration, engineering, ethics, entrepreneurship, environmental policy, agriculture, water resource management, renewable energy, and more. Our guides and partners worldwide are experienced professionals, expertly trained in health and safety, sustainable travel, and cultural engagement to ensure safe, enriching, and meaningful experiences.
Together, we create high-impact experiences that bridge academic knowledge with real-world challenges, empowering our participants to become tomorrow’s sustainability leaders.
We are proud to be a woman- and minority-owned public benefit company committed to creating a positive impact for people and the planet.
Melissa Lee
Founder, Chief Executive Officer
Allan Adzima
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Sumie Song
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Briar Bones
Program Operations Manager
Dylan Carbone
Director of Business Development
Gabriella Lockey
Program Enrollment Coordinator
Ryshena Providence, EIT, CFM
Storytelling & Content Development
Kendall Groninger
Program Enrollment Coordinator
Gaven Simon
Storytelling & Content Development
Dr. Sagar Sharma
Professor, Development Economics
Kathmandu University
Juliet Newson
Director, Iceland School of Energy, Reykjavik University & Geothermal Reservoir Engineer
Dr. Ágúst Valfells
Department Head, School Of Science & Engineering, Reykjavik University
Oscar Ortega
Professor, Water Resource Management, Sustainability, & Indigenous Knowledge
Andri Gunnarsson
Professor, Manager of Hydrological Research, Landsvirkjun (National Power Company of Iceland)
Jacob Kaminski
Project Manager, Iceland School of Energy, Reykjavik University
Meet Our Founder
When she was 19 years old, Melissa Lee launched The GREEN Program, an innovative model of short-term experiential education right from her college dorm room. Since then, as The GREEN Program’s Founder and CEO, Melissa has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 – Education, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)’s “Environmental Advocate of the Year”, and The North Face’s global “Moves Mountains” initiative, celebrating female explorers. As an accomplished entrepreneur, Melissa brings more than 15 years of experience in education, responsible travel, and sustainability.
She has served as a U.S. Global Schools Ambassador for the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and held distinguished lecturer and visiting scholar roles at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pittsburgh. Melissa is a dedicated mentor and nonprofit board member committed to empowering a diverse range of leaders—from Fortune 500 executives to underrepresented entrepreneurs—to develop impactful, real-world sustainability solutions. As an adventurer and outdoor enthusiast, she is passionate about responsible travel, the future of education, and building a just, sustainable future.
A Global Community of Sustainability Leaders
Are you ready to accelerate your impact and stand out as a leader in sustainability? Becoming a GREENie means joining a vibrant, global community of ambitious students and professionals who are passionate about driving real change.
Our participants are lifelong learners who take initiative, seek out new challenges, and embrace opportunities to grow—both personally and professionally.
As a GREENie, whether you’re a student or a professional, you’ll gain hands-on sustainability experience through immersive 7–10 day programs designed to fit seamlessly into your winter, spring, or summer break. With The GREEN Program, you don’t have to choose between internships, work commitments, or international experiences—you can pursue them all. Connect with forward-thinking peers and industry experts, build your global network, and earn credentials that set you apart in today’s competitive world.
Join us!
Ready to make a difference? Whether you’re a student, professional, partner, or sponsor, there’s a place for you at The GREEN Program. Join us to learn, lead, and create lasting impact for people and the planet. Together, we can build a more sustainable future.
The GREEN Program Blog
The Power of Global Experiences & Sustainability Education
Meet Anggela Navarro – an Environmental Engineering graduate from Universidad Privada de Tacna who experienced Iceland with the help of a TGP Scholarship!
From Online Learning to Global Classrooms: A Sustainability Journey in Iceland
Meet Kayland Brown – an Energy & Sustainability Policy student from Penn State University who experienced her second TGP program with the help of a TGP Scholarship!
Exploring Global Sustainability: McMaster Electrical Engineering Student’s Transformative Study Abroad in Peru
Meet Olivia De Simone – an Electrical Engineering student from McMaster University who experienced Peru with the help of a TGP Scholarship!