Samantha has a passion for systems change thinking and collaborative approaches to solving problems. She volunteers with YouthBridge Community Foundation and was selected as a 2019 Brown School Emerging Leader award winner.

Samantha has a Bachelor’s of Social Work from the University of Iowa and a Master’s of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She spent nearly ten years doing direct service social work in a variety of capacities, including providing services for Spanish speaking victims of intimate partner violence, connecting first generation students to higher education, and providing case management and crisis intervention to immigrant children and families. She also worked for the St. Louis County Children’s Service fund, the Clark-Fox Family Foundation, and most recently worked in the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. 

Melissa has a Bachelor’s of Sociology from Whitworth University. She spent 15 years doing social work in a variety of capacities, including providing services for older adults, at-risk youth and adults with disabilities. 

Most recently, she has worked with the Mehlville School District. Before that, she worked at Lutheran Senior Services, Faithful Friends (mentoring program) and ran a chamber of commerce in Washington State. 

Melissa is passionate about networking, serving the community, addressing homelessness, social justice, mental health and poverty.