Melissa is a Black, Queer, Woman who grew up in Georgia (Cherokee/Muscogee/Mvskoke land) where her ancestors were slaves. Her educational background in Psychology at The University of Georgia and Harvard University, along with her lived experience as a trauma survivor have made her fully committed to creating work environments where trauma-informed practices flourish, empathy is paramount, and individual well-being is a cornerstone of our collective success. Her direct experience with the complexities of systemic oppression has also fueled her commitment to challenging white supremacist systems so communities of the New Majority can thrive while stepping into their power. Melissa currently lives in Albuquerque NM on Tewa lands with her partner, 3 children, a dog, and a cat.