Melissa Holdaway is the co-founder and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Arizona Charter Academy.  She has over 25 years of management and leadership experience, co-founded three charter schools and been awarded numerous state and federal grants.

Melissa earned a Bachelor’s degree in management, an Executive MBA from Grand Canyon University, holds a SHRM-Senior Certified Professional certification through Society of Human Resources Management and is a certified executive coach.

Passionate about creating positive change in the community, Melissa serves on the Grand Canyon University College of Business Advisory Board and the Blue Blazer Leadership team through Fighter Country Partnership, which supports the men and women at Luke Air Force Base.  She also served as the past chair of the City of Surprise Audit Committee and the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In 2022, Melissa was inducted into the Grand Canyon University College of Business Hall of Fame.  Other awards include Athena Award finalist from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business, Business Leader of the Year from the Arizona Charter School Association, and the City of Surprise Citizen of the Year.  Other awards include Leadership West Alumnus of the year, Sun City Elks Citizen of the Year, and Grand Canyon University College of Business Inspirational Leadership Award.