When she was named the Executive Director of the Government and Community Relations Department at the University of Minnesota, Melisa overhauled the department, instituting rigorous policies and procedures, expanding staffing, and revitalizing dormant stakeholder relationships. As a President’s Cabinet member, she helped define legislative priorities, developed a legislative tracking framework, and organized grassroots advocacy efforts. Melisa’s work significantly elevated the University’s visibility with policymakers and community leaders, leading to receipt of a $686M appropriation from the state.

Melisa was elected to represent her community in the Minnesota State Senate in 2013, serving for 10 years, including as the Minority Caucus Leader. During this time, she delivered important legislation spanning diverse issues, including early childhood education, workforce development, housing, healthcare, public safety, and transportation. She led Minnesota’s 92nd Legislative Session, acting as the spokesperson during the legislative session, internal discussions/negotiations, and public- and media-facing events.

Earlier in her career, Melisa spent nearly eight years with Target Corporation, where she held roles in community relations, employee relations, and government affairs. Much of her work focused on defining and prioritizing Target’s policy agenda and building relationships with influential policymakers. She also monitored legislative changes, then partnered with business leaders to mitigate the operational impacts of those changes. Melisa also supported the PR strategy to help the retailer anticipate and manage response to potentially volatile issues, positioning Target to focus on actively shaping public perception versus reacting to events as they occurred. 

In addition to her executive leadership, Melisa is also a successful entrepreneur, having launched two distinct consulting firms—new startup Voyageurs Public Affairs and NewPublica, focused on public relations and strategic communications, which she grew 6X before exit. She also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

Melisa holds a Juris Doctor from Hamline Law School, a Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (summa cum laude) from Inter American University of Puerto Rico. 

She remains deeply engaged in board service, professional leadership, and civic involvement, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Melisa lives in Edina, Minnesota, with her husband and two children.