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avatar for Melissa Schipke

Melissa Schipke

Tassl
Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Schipke is founder and chief executive officer of Tassl, a company dedicated to building technologies that strengthen alumni networks and recognize graduates for contributions to their alma mater. The company was founded in 2014 and is currently being implemented at Penn State and other institutions across the US. Tassl's technologies include engagement metrics software, management tools to support volunteer group leaders, and a mobile application for alumni and other constituents to more easily connect to network opportunities such as connections, events, news and resources. Tassl is considered among the most comprehensive technology solutions for understanding network engagement and impact outside of giving. 

Schipke began her career at Altria Group, holding multiple positions within their sales and distribution team. While with Altria, Schipke became intrigued by market data, analytics, and the need for short- and long-term business planning and forecasting, which help lead to her endeavor with Tassl. After completing her MBA from Rowan University in 2014, Melissa combined her love for her alma mater and her passion for analytics to create Tassl. In 2015, Tassl was chosen as one of the top Hottest Startups in Philly by Tech.Co. The company was also named the "Most Valued Company" at the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic Angel Capital Expo the same year. In 2016, Schipke was named to Southern New Jersey Business People’s 40 under 40 list, Rowan University's 40 under 40, and received the Grand Prize at the Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition, receiving $60,000. Tassl was also selected to participate in the Dreamit Accelerator Program, which focused on accelerating the growth innovative edtech technologies for later staged startups from around the world in a 4-month program out of New York City and Philadelphia.

Schipke has been passionately involved with the Penn State Smeal College of Business since graduating in 2009. She is currently the president of the Smeal Business Club in Philadelphia and an at-large director of the Smeal Alumni Society Board. She returns to campus frequently to engage with students and faculty, and to participate in University-wide entrepreneurship initiatives and programs. Schipke is a member of the Penn State Alumni Association and lives in Haddon Township, N.J.