Melissa Read

Melissa Read is the Administrator of the Federal Capital Trial Project, a position she has held since November 2021. In this role, she provides strategic leadership and oversight of administrative and financial operations, ensuring the effective delivery of resources and support to resource counsel and capital defense teams nationwide. Prior to joining the FCTP, Melissa served as the Administrative Officer for the Federal Public Defender Office in the District of New Mexico for nearly two decades, where she managed complex organizational functions and drove operational excellence. She is also a long-standing member of the Defender Services Organization review team, contributing to the evaluation and enhancement of administrative best practices across defender organizations nationwide. Committed to supporting federal defense practitioners and the clients they serve, Melissa consistently strives to advance efficiency, accountability, and innovation in administration and finance.