Melanie Prengler

Melanie Prengler is an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, specializing in Leadership and Organizational Behavior. Her research focuses on how individuals use work to drive meaningful change in organizations and society through qualitative approaches.

Education:

• B.A. in Psychology, Texas A&M University
• M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Sam Houston State University
• Ph.D. in Management/Organizational Behavior, Mays School of Business, Texas A&M University

Her work explores organizational transformation, allyship behaviors, systemic racism in workplaces, and autonomy in remote work arrangements. Research has been published in top-tier journals like Administrative Science Quarterly and Journal of Applied Psychology, with articles trending toward digital nomadism, postpartum workplace transitions, and equity frameworks.

Scientific Awards:

• 2023 Responsible Research in Business and Management Award
• 2021 AOM MOC Division's Best Student-Led Paper award
• Mays Innovation Research Center grant
• 2021 INFORMS Dissertation Proposal Competition Finalist

At Darden, she teaches courses in leadership development, team dynamics, and organizational behavior. Her qualitative research spans topics from marginalized employee agency to workplace flexibility in location-independent arrangements.