As a first-generation child of Colombian immigrants, Melissa Vargas quickly became adept at advocating for her family and community’s needs. When she was eight, she followed in the footsteps of her older siblings and became her mother’s interpreter, helping her navigate the American system and volunteering to assist other immigrant families whenever interpretation was needed. Since then, the phrase “¿Le puedo ayudar?” has served as her moral compass.

For nearly 20 years, Melissa has dedicated herself to public service. She has advocated for, developed, and implemented policies at the local and federal levels to advance social and economic equality, fighting for affordable healthcare, clean water, renewable energy and jobs, climate action, and family reunification. Before joining CNC Education Fund, Melissa served as District Director for a Los Angeles member of Congress, led Diverse Engagement & Partnerships for the Environmental Defense Fund, and served in the Obama Administration’s Office of Public Engagement at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Her personal, professional, and volunteer experiences have underscored the burdens carried by people of the global majority, or people of color, under a systemic imbalance that ties wealth to power. These lessons have strengthened her commitment to CNC Education Fund as it works across the state to engage and empower families, helping them activate their networks to finish the development of unfinished neighborhoods long overlooked by public investment.

As Policy Director for CNC Education Fund, Melissa brings deep knowledge of organizing, local and federal government, and the U.S. Congress. In this role, she leads policy research and manages relationships with key stakeholders across California and Washington, D.C. She has also guided the expansion of the Lúcete Latina program, which highlights the power of Latina voters to shape public policy and influence elections in California.

Melissa is an alumna of the University of Southern California, where she earned a Master’s in Public Administration, and Chapman University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Journalism. She serves as a board member of several environmental and civic engagement organizations.