Melissa Fontaine

Project Director

Melissa joined LegacyWorks in 2023 as Project Director for the Central Coast Region. Melissa brings 15 years of experience working in service to the Santa Barbara County community as Food Literacy Manager with the Orfalea Foundation, Director of Community Impact with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Food Security Coordinator at UC Santa Barbara, and Development Officer with the Community Environmental Council. 

At LegacyWorks, Melissa supports the City of Goleta with communications and community engagement on the Ellwood Mesa project, coordinates the SBC Community Dashboard, and manages systems and data for LWG’s Development Team. Additionally, Melissa serves as the coordinator of LegacyWorks’ Diversity Committee. 

Melissa was born in Colombia and raised in Miami. She earned her BA in Natural Sciences from New College of Florida and her Masters of Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara, with an emphasis in Conservation Planning. She also holds certificates in Permaculture Design and Salesforce, and volunteers with the UC Master Gardener program. 

Melissa enjoys the sound of rivers and colorful flowers blooming in her garden. She lives with her family on the sunset side of Goleta, California, where she delights in sharing meals with loved ones.

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