Experience money can’t buy
With my sleeves rolled up, I’ve spent decades getting things done in this community — not from the sidelines, but on the boards, commissions, and committees that shape daily life in Santa Rosa.
Combined with 30 years of organizational management experience, that’s leadership money can’t buy. Now I’m bringing that same hands-on, experienced approach to the Santa Rosa City Council.
I’m a wife of 49 years, a mother, a longtime gardener, and for more than 20 years a YMCA spin instructor — community connection in every sense of the word. Community gardening has taught me that real change starts at the roots. My work, professional and volunteer, has always been about building community: bringing people together, finding common ground, and getting results as a team.
That’s the future of Santa Rosa I envision — working together, focused on making sure every Santa Rosan has the chance to grow to their potential.
As a longtime Democrat active in our local party, I’ve spent years building coalitions and helping elect Democrats up and down the ballot. I’ll bring that same coalition-building experience to City Hall, working across the council and the community to get results.
Experience
Civic Leadership
Chair, Design Review and Preservation Board, City of Santa Rosa
Vice Chair, Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women — appointed by Supervisor Chris Coursey
Vice Chair, Food for Thought Board
Vice Chair, Museum of Sonoma County Board
Founder, Benton Street Improvement Association Yard Sign Project
Chair, Benton Street Community Garden
Democratic Party Leadership
Second Vice Chair, Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee
Delegate, Sonoma County Democrats
As a gardening enthusiast and organizer of the Mendocino Avenue Community Garden, Melanie knows that in order to make change, you have to start at the roots.
