Mélanie Poudevigne

Dr. Mélanie Poudevigne is an accomplished academic leader, nonprofit executive, and advocate for innovative health and education policies. A University of California Berkeley Executive Leadership Fellow, she has over two decades of experience in higher education and policy management, currently serving as a full tenured Professor and scholar within the University System of Georgia and the Head of Leadership Development for the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. As the founding Director of the Health Management unit at Clayton State University, Dr. Poudevigne spearheaded transformative initiatives, including the launch of four undergraduate and graduate degrees, construction of cutting-edge academic and clinical spaces, and enrollment growth of over 1,100 students in health-related fields. Her leadership has consistently driven institutional success, with retention rates exceeding 90% and strategic initiatives under three university presidents. Beyond academia, she has played critical roles in nonprofit leadership, managing initiatives and policies for nonprofit organizations with over 20,000 members combined and directing international certification programs for the American College of Sports Medicine globally.

With a multilingual background, Dr. Poudevigne brings a global perspective to her work. She has consulted on statewide health policy, mentored graduate students internationally, and led global health summits across Asia and the Caribbean. Recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, her contributions include co-authoring over 30 peer-reviewed publications relating the extraordinary successes of lengthy healthcare initiatives, 100+ international presentations, a hand full of book chapters, and advancing education and mental performance strategies through collaborations with institutions such as the University of West Indies, Harvard University, and Stanford University. Her clinical expertise spans cardiac rehabilitation, cancer exercise interventions, and psychophysiological stress research. Dr. Poudevigne’s academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Exercise Psychobiology from the University of Georgia and advanced degrees from Paris (René Descartes) University, Georgia Southern University, and Aix-Marseille University. Her commitment to holistic, equitable approaches to health, social work, and education continues to shape her leadership and advocacy worldwide.