The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) will present its 2025 Young Alumni Leadership Award to Melissa Davis ’12 at the Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg as part of Blue & Gold Celebration 2025: Homecoming and Family Weekend. Registration for the dinner is available here.
The Young Alumni Leadership Award, initiated in 2015, celebrates the achievements of young alumni who are age 35 and younger. It recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves as leaders in their profession, community, and at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.
"We are thrilled to honor Melissa with this award," said Huong Vo, president of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association. "Her accomplishments and leadership qualities exemplify the spirit and values of Pitt-Greensburg. She is a true inspiration to our community and a role model for our students."
Davis has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication throughout her career. A Pittsburgh native, she graduated from Pitt-Greensburg in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in psychology. Her involvement with the Academic Village and Big Brothers Big Sisters while at Pitt-Greensburg built a strong foundation for her leadership journey.
“My four years at Pitt-Greensburg weren’t always easy, but the challenges became my greatest teachers,” explained Davis. “Failure pushed me to climb higher, work harder, and never take the easy way out. Balancing classes, jobs, and life while being shaped by professors, peers, and the Greensburg community gave me resilience, purpose, and an education that became my foundation. It’s also where I built memories that I’ll always hold close to my heart, and where I found my voice and became the woman and leader I am today.”
Davis began her career at Verizon Wireless, where she excelled in a competitive environment and developed vital client relationship skills. Her journey continued in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry with Providence Engineering, where she doubled the office’s revenue in two years through strategic relationship-building and market positioning. Most recently, Davis joined Continental Building Company as a business development manager, where she continues to lead with a client-first mindset.
Outside of her professional achievements, Davis is deeply committed to service and mentorship. She chairs the Young Leaders group and serves on the Management Board for the Urban Land Institute, along with holding leadership roles in organizations like the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), American Institute of Architects (AIA), and National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP). Her volunteer work spans across the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and her children’s Parent Teacher Organization. She and her husband, Derek, are the parents of two children.
“Receiving the Young Alumni Leadership Award is a humbling full-circle moment,” said Davis. “It honors my parents, who believed in me; my husband, who has been by my side since college; my brother, who also carved his path at Pitt; and now my children, who already dream of wearing Pitt colors. This recognition proves that perseverance pays off, and it inspires me to keep leading, keep building, and keep showing the next generation what’s possible.”