Melanie Chavez

Melanie Chavez has extensive work experience in human resources and employee relations. Melanie has held various roles throughout their career, starting as a First Grade Teacher at Nehemiah Leadership Academy in 1998. Melanie then moved on to work as a Human Resources Coordinator at Tribune Broadcasting, focusing on recruitment, compliance, and employee engagement. In 2007, they joined New York Public Radio as an Associate Director HR, where they continued to work in HR generalist responsibilities with a focus on recruitment, labor relations, and employee relations. From 2006 to 2009, they worked as a Senior Consultant at M Squared Consulting before joining Educational Media Foundation as a Human Resources Generalist. In their role there, they gained experience in various HR functions. From 2014 to 2015, they worked as a People Services Director at Commune Hotels & Resorts, overseeing HR operations and leading efforts in recruitment, leadership development, and labor relations. In 2015, they transitioned to Joie de Vivre Hotels - Two Roads Hospitality as a People Services Director, where they played a critical role in change management, recruitment, labor relations, and leadership development during the merger and acquisition process of the organization. Most recently, they worked at California State University, Monterey Bay, initially as an Associate Director of Employee & Labor Relations and later as the Director of Employee & Labor Relations, Compliance, and Leaves Programs.

Melanie Chavez holds a BA in Liberal Studies/Linguistics from Humboldt State University, obtained in the period of 1990-1995. In 2006, they earned an MA in Organizational Leadership & Development from Regent University. Melanie also has a certification as a Transformational Soul Coach from Sedona Soul Adventures, obtained in 2023. Melanie completed a Second Degree Reiki Practitioner program in the Usui Tradition Natural Healing at Yoga Shala By The Sea in 2022. Additionally, they received a Coaching for HR Professionals Certification from the Center for Creative Leadership in 2012. Melanie holds a California Public Employers Labor Relations Association Labor Relations Master (CLRM) certification, obtained from CALPELRA in 2021.