2025 Distinguished Alumni Award

Melissa Woodall graduated from Austin College in 1986 with double majors of Economics and Political Science.  She 
has worked in the field of economic and community development for over 35 years in Arizona, Tennessee, and Texas. She earned a Main Street Project Management certification from the National Main Street Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1992, and a certificate from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute in 1997.

Melissa enjoyed a successful career assisting municipalities, counties, and nonprofit organizations in three states to create over 4,500 new jobs, retain over 3,000 existing jobs, and facilitate over $2.3 billion in new investment. Her efforts working with public and private local, state, and federal stakeholders supported the recruitment of hospitals and institutes of higher education to her target areas. She has most recently worked as an economic development consultant, training city councils, boards, and county commissioners to develop and implement strategic plans, establish goals, manage change within their unique market, and develop real estate to serve community and market needs.

Melissa’s service to her community goes beyond her career, however. She is a past president of the Texas Downtown Association, and has served on numerous local and regional committees and boards. She serves as chair of Texas Downtown’s Anice Read Fund, which awards grants to member communities for physical projects and professional development.  Melissa is also a past president of three Rotary International clubs, and was elected vice president of McKinney Municipal Utility District #2. She has also dedicated much time and talent to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, serving on its Board of Directors, and closer to home as Chair of the North Texas MS Community Council.

Melissa received an Athena Award in 1998 in association with the Denison, Texas, Chamber of Commerce. She and her teams also received Excellence in Economic Development awards from the International Economic Development Council and the Texas Economic Development Council.