Meet Melissa and Kate
Melissa Engle, MA LPC
Melissa Engle is a licensed professional counselor working in Michigan with Veterans since 1998. She is currently completing her PhD at Oakland University pursuing research on veterans and post traumatic growth. She has worked for the VA for over 6 years as a Counselor, currently at the Ann Arbor, Michigan facility, and has extensive experience and expertise working with veterans with PTSD and related trauma disorders.
In 2018, she started Tribe Talks with USMC veteran SSgt. Shaun Durfey after identifying a need for growth-oriented resiliency services in the veteran community. Tribe Talks is a retreat-based program that focuses on processing and overcoming trauma by developing improved coping skills, engaging in treatment and learning more about the freedom to choose.
In addition to her responsibilities at the VA, Melissa is involved on college campuses in the VetSuccess on Campus and the Department of Veterans Affairs-Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment.
Click here to reach the VA website for PTSD apps, videos and more
Kate Melcher, Executive Director
Kate Melcher began her career in a research and speech writing position with the Supreme Court of the United States. She went on to serve in senior staff positions in the US Senate, in line company leadership as an AH-64D Apache Longbow pilot in the Army, and as an Army Legislative Liaison Officer for the US Army National Guard. Ms. Melcher is a seasoned military, non-profit, and private sector professional, with a passion for public service.
After moving home to Michigan in 2017, she led the Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program at the University of Michigan. In this capacity, she oversaw all aspects of the program, including building and maintaining relationships with National Guard leadership, working with community and private sector partners, and supporting the volunteer corps.
Kate currently serves as Executive Director of Fisher House Michigan. In this role, she and the FHM Board of Directors are responsible for raising funds and awareness to bring the first Fisher Houses to Michigan. Governor Snyder named Kate the 2018 Veteran of the Year through the Governor’s Fitness Foundation.
You can reach the Fisher House Michigan website through this link. www.fisherhousemichigan.org
