Melanie Santostefano

Melanie Santostefano has had a diverse work experience in various roles. Melanie began their career in 1999 as a Writer and Reporter for Newstalk 1340 WSOY in Decatur, Illinois. Melanie covered local and state politicians, elections, and current events. Melanie then moved to Chicago and worked as a Writer and Reporter for Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcasting, where they reported news and traffic for radio stations and wrote for the MetroSource News Wire service. In 2003, they joined Stefano's Flooring as a Sales and Marketing Director, overseeing sales strategy, marketing efforts, and representing the company at trade shows. In 2004, Melanie founded Vicarious Multimedia (formerly Vicarious Productions), a company based in the northwest suburbs of Chicago that provides Marketing Communications, Public Relations, and Video Production solutions for various clients. Melanie served as the Founder and President, crafting messages and telling clients' stories through different communication channels. From 2010 to 2013, Melanie worked as an Editor at Patch.com, building community relationships and providing news coverage for Arlington Heights and Palatine, Illinois.

Melanie Santostefano obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Communications from the University of Illinois Chicago, which they attended from 1994 to 1997. Melanie also pursued a degree in Psychology at the University of Arizona, although the specific dates are unknown. Prior to their higher education, Melanie Santostefano attended Deerfield High School. In 2017, they underwent training in Municipal Public Officer at the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security.