Melanie Reyes, a Newark, New Jersey native and resident, has been passionate about community development since her youth.  Her mother's work with the Department of Children and Families exposed her to the structural inequalities faced by communities of color, and it seemed natural that she would walk in her mother's footsteps.  Melanie has dedicated her professional career to serving the greater Newark community through various roles in the nonprofit sector, most recently as Housing Justice Director at the Ironbound Community Corporation. Through her personal and professional experiences, she has witnessed both the ways structural inequities can block meaningful change and the powerful possibilities that open up when those most impacted by inequities organize to confront and dismantle them. Having led initiatives in community development, economic empowerment, environmental justice, and housing justice spaces, she brings a unique skill set and insight into the needs of the Newark community. 

As Strategy Officer for Building Community Power, Melanie brings her deep ties to the community and a commitment to equity and social impact.  She will work closely with members of the Newark community to co-design and implement strategies that advance the Foundation’s mission and strategic framework. Her vision of community power is a base of those most impacted by structural inequities collaborating and engaging in decision-making processes that dismantle structural barriers. She is thrilled to be part of the Victoria team and looks forward to support aligned, connected, and collaborative community power building strategies that persist and grow over the long term, through change in policy and economic conditions.