Meet the Minds - Melissa Strompolis
Melissa Strompolis, Ph.D.
In this edition of Meet the Minds, we’re excited to introduce Melissa Strompolis, our Director of Research at 1000 Feathers. With a passion for data, curiosity, and a deep commitment to equity, Melissa brings a unique perspective to our work. Whether she’s designing research strategies or digging into data to uncover insights that inform real change, Melissa helps ensure our work is grounded in evidence and impact. Get to know more about what drives her, what she’s passionate about, and what keeps her busy outside of 1000 Feathers.
What excites you the most about your work with 1000 Feathers?
The opportunity to learn something new every day. My personal and the firm’s organizational views are to meet communities, organizations, and systems where they are – that means learning and working alongside a broad range of situations and opportunities. Embracing diverse perspectives, experiences, fields, and locations means that everyday is different and everyday is an opportunity to learn something new.
Since joining 1000 Feathers, you have lived in South Korea, Italy, and now Las Vegas. What's it been like to be a "very" remote employee? Any lessons learned you can share with others?
Every place has been so different! I’m happy to chat with anyone about it as my expectations were usually never correct (spoiler: South Korea has the best coffee culture!). The two things that mattered the most were to “know thy self” and to have a supportive workplace. What I know about myself now is that I thrive under a hybrid work model. Being able to spend time in person and at conferences and time during the day that is split between Zoom meetings and deep work is the ideal. This also allows me to take care of myself when needed (i.e., chronic condition). Thriving under these conditions is only possible with a workplace that has supportive policies and people.
What's a small but meaningful habit in your daily life?
Morning coffee/tea. Brandon (my husband) and I have flavors we enjoy with each other on the weekends and mugs that we select because they remind us of our travels or the friends and family that gifted them to us.
When you aren't hard at work with 1000 Feathers, what's keeping you busy?
Hiking and pickleball! We took my sister on an amazing hike in Valley of the Fire State Park – highly recommend to anyone visiting the Las Vegas area (as long as the temps aren’t too hot). And after taking a pickleball lesson, we started playing with our friends and get together about once a week to see who is the “ace of the court.”
What is one book or podcast that has really stuck with you that you would recommend to others?
A podcast I have added to the rotation is Citations Needed. Hosts Nirma Shirazi and Adam Johnson discuss the “intersection of politics, power, propaganda and the press”. For example, on a recent episode, Shirazi and Johnson highlight how the media (e.g., writers of newspaper articles) attributes AI for making important decisions (e.g., increasing rental rates, denials in healthcare, civilian casualties by IDF) rather than the people behind the AI.
Learn more about Melissa’s professional credentials.
