Dr. Melody M. Pannell is a native of Harlem, New York City, where her interests developed concerning addressing social disparities, health inequities, theological issues and public policies within the Black community. Academically, Pannell holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, a Master of Social Work from Fordham University in New York City, and a Master of Divinity and Master of Christian Education from The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. Pannell also holds a Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice from The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at EMU. Pannell is a 2024 graduate of the Inaugural Womanist Preaching Doctorate in Ministry Program at Memphis Theological Seminary, where her Project Title was: The Destiny’s Daughters Womanist Healing Institute: Transforming the Trajectory of Intergenerational Trauma Impacting Black Women and Girls through Restorative Justice Practices, Therapeutic Mentoring, and Womanist Preaching. Currently, Pannell is a first-year PhD student in the School of Social Work at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, researching clinical outcomes addressing intergenerational neurobiological traumatology in Black Women.
Vocationally, Pannell serves as the Director of Healthcare Leadership Education and Community Wellness at UVA Health in Charlottesville, Virginia. Pannell also serves the Charlottesville community through her position on the Steering Committee of the Community Mental Health & Wellness Coalition and her leadership role on The Coming to the Table – Charlottesville Local Affiliate. Politically, in November 2022, Pannell was elected as the first woman of color to serve on the Town Council of Dayton, Va., and ran for Mayor in the 2024 election.
Pannell is the founder and CEO of Destiny’s Daughters Inc., a therapeutic, spiritual mentoring program dedicated to the holistic healing of Black women and girls. Pannell also serves as the Board Chair of Anabaptist World Inc. and newly appointed Board Member of Eastern Mennonite School. Civically, Pannell is a member and Chaplain of the Charlottesville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and serves on the Delta Research and Education Foundation (DREF) Sister Scholars Advisory Council. It is her vision is to encourage those she serves to engage in a transformative journey of radical hope, holistic healing, and human flourishing.