As Associate Director of People Operations, Melissa builds and administers strategies to support all ReThink staff and successfully achieve operations-related goals. She is a veteran of the ReThink admin team and has continuously worked to improve the organization’s processes, policies, and systems with an eye towards structure, efficiency, and equity.

Prior to joining ReThink Media, Melissa managed advocacy programs to increase public funding and access to arts education in California, including the Student Voices Campaign, a statewide initiative that gave middle and high school students a way to creatively impact school policymaking. Previously, she oversaw the administration of teen education and scholarship programs at Boys & Girls Clubs, and developed a career readiness workshop series for teens.

Melissa graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in International Development Studies and is a two-time AmeriCorps alumna who completed service in State and VISTA programs, dedicated to fostering civic engagement and building organizational, administrative, and financial capacity in communities facing poverty and inequality.

Her hobbies and interests revolve around family, food, and skincare products. She enjoys determining what makes a good karaoke song.