Professional Background

Dr. Melissa Smith Haley, D.S.W., L.M.S.W., is an accomplished social work professional, administrator, educator, and national leader with more than 20 years of experience in human services. She serves as Vice President of Program Operations for Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, where she has successfully managed multiple state and federal contracts, substantial annual budgets, and a workforce of more than 100 employees.

Throughout her tenure with Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, Dr. Haley has held several leadership positions, including Facility Manager for Single Room Occupancy for Recovering Addicts, Assistant Program Director of Substance Abuse Services, Program Director of Recovery Services, Program Director of Children and Family Services, and Program Director of Supportive Services.

Known for her ability to strengthen programs and bring organization and structure to complex operations, Dr. Haley’s leadership responsibilities have included staff development and training, program expansion, contract implementation, budget development and management, hiring and supervision, program outcomes, quality assurance, and stakeholder engagement.

Dr. Haley is a graduate of the inaugural Doctorate in Social Work program at Morgan State University. She is a proud three-time alumna of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, having earned her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Xavier University of Louisiana, her Master of Social Work degree from Clark Atlanta University, and her Doctorate in Social Work from Morgan State University.

From 2017 to 2021, Dr. Haley served as an adjunct professor at Southern University at New Orleans, where she taught social work courses in Diversity, Administration, Planning, and Community Organizing.

Leadership and Community Service

Dr. Haley is the 14th President of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) and serves as Treasurer. Her extensive service to NABSW spans more than 30 years and began when she volunteered as a student in New Orleans in 1993. Her leadership roles have included President of the Clark Atlanta University Chapter and the Metropolitan District of Columbia Chapter, National Vice President, National Member-at-Large, National Conference Co-Chairperson, and National Plenary Co-Chairperson.

Dr. Haley has served as a guest lecturer, panelist, and board member for national social work organizations, professional forums, and universities. Her professional engagement has included work with the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work, the Social Work Leadership Roundtable, and the Grand Challenges for Social Work.

In 2022, Dr. Haley was appointed by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards to the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, where she continues to contribute her professional knowledge and leadership.

Personal Background

A second-generation social worker, Dr. Haley grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, with her parents, Dr. Fredrick E. Smith and Colonel (Ret.) Mary Smith.

Dr. Haley and her husband, Attorney Okyeame Haley, have been married for 29 years. Okyeame is the son of New Orleans civil rights activists Richard and Oretha Castle Haley. They are the proud parents of two daughters. Nia Haley is a pharmacist and graduate of Hampton University, and Kai Haley is a Howard University alumna and second-year law student at New York University School of Law. The Haley family resides in New Orleans.

Dr. Haley is deeply committed to the community in which she lives and serves. As a strength-based practitioner, she is passionate about challenging negative stereotypes, recognizing the potential in others, and helping individuals and communities achieve self-actualization.

Her personal mottos are:

“No one should be defined by their challenges.”

“Liberation is not a spectator’s sport.”