DiFeo honored for driving staff excellence, care and compassion

Mix equal parts strategist, tactician and problem-solver with an empathetic, humble, persuasive and trustworthy personality and you get a sense of how Melanie DiFeo leads.

These skills, coupled with a genuine desire to empower others at Fisher to excel as professionals, were recently recognized by Ohio State. DiFeo, chief of staff and culture initiatives and senior director of marketing and communications at Fisher, was named a 2025 recipient of a Distinguished Staff Award.

DiFeo was among 13 staff members honored for their outstanding achievements, service, leadership and dedication to Ohio State, as well as their demonstration of the university’s shared values.

“It’s an honor to be part of such an extraordinary group of staff members representing so many units and organizations across Ohio State,” DiFeo said. “I’m proud to work with so many talented individuals at Fisher who share a collective dedication to making our college the best place to teach, learn and work.”

In both of her roles, DiFeo fosters a culture of belonging and mutual respect, consistently demonstrating integrity, empathy and a strong work ethic. Her ability to inspire and motivate her colleagues is instrumental in fostering a collaborative and positive work environment, her nominators wrote.

“Melanie is committed to excellence and impact and demonstrates it repeatedly in each of her roles,” said Trevor Brown, interim dean of Fisher College of Business. “She is focused on care and compassion ― she strives for excellence but not at the expense of treating people with dignity, whether they be teammates or the stakeholders she serves.”

As senior director of the Office of Marketing and Communications, DiFeo supports brand strategy and positioning, college marketing, strategic communications, media relations, alumni communications and digital and non-digital advertising and social media. Her work has been key to enhancing the college’s reputation and rankings.

In addition, she has also been a critical thought partner in the development of college-wide excellence initiatives including: the Fisher Inclusion Champions Program, which promotes a more inclusive and equitable experience for all at Fisher, and the Hate Has No Business Here campaign, which communicates Fisher’s commitment to social belonging and community values.

DiFeo also works to elevate the staff experience through advocacy, communication and support of culture-enhancing initiatives as chief of staff and culture initiatives. She collaborates with Fisher’s Office of Human Resources and serves as a liaison to Fisher’s Staff Advisory Committee, the Culture Accountability Council and Buckeye Wellness Innovators. She was instrumental in launching the Fisher Gives Back program, an initiative highlighting the college’s commitment to service and social responsibility.

“Her ability to foster a positive and inclusive environment has transformed the way staff perceive their roles and contributions within the college,” said Aravind Chandrasekaran, senior associate dean. “She embodies a rare combination of vision, empathy and execution that makes her an invaluable leader and colleague.”

Added Cheryl Turnbull, senior director of the university’s Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship: “Her unwavering dedication to Ohio State, her exceptional service and embodiment of our core values have left an indelible mark.”