Creating “Austin’s Central Park” for all of Central Texas to enjoy. Founded in a sense of understanding sources of inequity, historical context, relationship building, and high-quality engaging programming that bridges communities. Culturally-conscious outreach and public engagement, raising awareness to ensure continuous and meaningful dialogue with Austinites.

Melissa serves as the Community Engagement & Government Relations Director for Waterloo Greenway (formerly Waller Creek Conservancy), engaging the public to share their feedback and ideas on what a vibrant Palm Park, Waterloo Park, and Creek Delta looks like to the Austin community. She engages individuals and organizations across the community in interactive initiatives designed to ensure the Waterloo Greenway mission of inclusivity is reflected in every event, program, and gathering.

Prior to joining Waterloo Greenway, Melissa led communications efforts at Capital Metro more for than five years. During her time at the transit agency, she oversaw the development of Connections 2025, a 10-year strategic plan for the future of Central Texas transportation. The plan has been endorsed by many Austin community partners, serving as the roadmap for more frequent and reliable transit service across the region. Melissa championed bilingual communications and meaningful outreach to Austin’s Hispanic/Latino community, and served as Capital Metro’s first Spanish-speaking spokesperson.

A first-generation Texan Latina, Melissa sits on the Caritas of Austin Board of Directors, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Red River Cultural District Board of Directors, Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission, and KLRU Community Advisory Board. Melissa is a graduate of the Hispanic Austin Leadership (HAL) and Leadership Austin programs.