Roberta L. K. Melton, M.S.
Director, Entrepreneurial Innovation
Maryland Technology Development Corporation

Ms. Melton is the Director, Entrepreneurial Innovation for the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO).  Ms. Melton manages the Rural Business Innovation Initiative that provides intensive business assistance to the five rural regions of Maryland.  She oversees the business assistance program for the Maryland Business Incubators and she serves on two incubator advisory boards.  As the portfolio manager for 34 companies, Ms. Melton helps the companies secure financial and business resources to facilitate the commercialization of technology. Prior to her appointment, she served as Assistant Director of the Investment Financing Group of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, where she was involved in funding early stage technology start up companies.  Her career includes positions at the University of Maryland Engineering Research Center Maryland Industrial Partnerships program, the Center for Cancer & Transplantation Biology at Children’s National Medical Center, the University of Hawaii, the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  She has over 20 years experience in managing technology development and commercialization projects, and 10 years working with early stage technology companies. 

Ms. Melton is a co-founder of Women In Bio, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women in life sciences industry create and build successful companies and advance in their careers.  The organization provides educational programs, mentoring and networking opportunities.  WIB has grown to be a national organization and intergenerational in focus offering programs for middle school aged girls to mature career women.

Ms. Melton holds a Masters Degree in Science Technology and Public Policy from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Drake University.