Melissa is a mother of two children, having formed her family through both adoption and egg donation. Melissa is a passionate advocate for families, with a strong history of advocating within community and education settings, and supporting children’s success in school. She recognizes and deeply values the importance of peer and community supports in family well-being, and has supported families navigating openness, AFCCA, and various complex needs. Professionally, Melissa brings past experience from within the children’s mental health and education sectors, and has further system navigation experience that spans healthcare and housing systems. She’s a lifelong learner, and is always seeking ways to learn from, and with, the communities she’s engaged with.