AgDevCo

Melissa leads AgDevCo’s legal function, advising on the structuring and documentation of AgDevCo and AgDevCo Ventures’ investments, as well as regulatory, compliance and governance matters in the UK and across AgDevCo’s countries of operation in sub‑Saharan Africa. She also oversees AgDevCo’s business integrity programme and plays a key role in shaping the organisation’s policies and procedures. Melissa is a member of AgDevCo’s Executive Committee and serves as Chair of its Technical Assistance Committee.

Before joining AgDevCo, Melissa spent 12 years at the international law firm Allen & Overy LLP (now A&O Shearman), where she advised on cross‑border banking and restructuring transactions. During her time at the firm, she founded and led its microfinance and social investment group and worked on a range of pro bono initiatives. She also completed a secondment to Citigroup’s emerging markets desk.

Melissa holds a BA in Japanese Studies from the University of Oxford and a postgraduate diploma in law from BPP Law School. She is the President of the Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers (GAIL).