Melissa M. Cariño

Melissa M. Cariño is a dedicated professional in equity and community engagement, currently serving as a Multicultural Liaison for the City of Eugene since July 2022. With extensive experience in urban planning and social advocacy, Melissa was previously the Senior City Planner for the City of Springfield, where involvement included housing projects and the IDEA Committee. As a founding partner of LoveLife Retreat Collaborative, LLC, Melissa focused on animal rescue, regenerative land management, and community collaboration. Additional roles include co-founding We Are Seeds, LLC, serving as Interim Executive Director for Aprovecho Sustainability Education Center, and advocating for AAPI women's rights with the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum. Educational qualifications include a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from Cornell University and a Bachelor's from UC Berkeley.