About Hope & Power's Founder, Melody Gonzales
Born and raised in San Diego, California, where her passion for public service and leadership was sparked through the strong example set by her parents, Melody's career has been an exciting journey blending policy, political and management experiences.
Through her past 20+ years working in Washington, D.C., she established myself as a creative, impact-oriented, bilingual professional in the union, nonprofit, campaign and Federal sectors. Much of this work has been centered in empowering and advancing diverse and often marginalized communities through various roles in some of Washington D.C.'s most impactful institutions and organizations.
Through her professional experiences, her own personal leadership development work and her training with Georgetown University's Executive Leadership coaching certificate program she has learned from - and served alongside - inspiring and motivational leaders.
Through Hope and Power Strategies Melody is bringing government affairs, community engagement support, public speaking (keynotes and workshops), and leadership coaching to share with you the technical experiences, tools and inspiration she has found practical to her journey and the growth of others around her; her personal experiences as a Latina senior executive navigating the worlds of politics, advocacy, and both small and large institutions; and her genuine interest in partnering with you to support your unique organizational priorities and leadership journey.
Hope & Power Strategies
Hope -- an optimistic desire that sparks the incredible to happen -- is power.
Our business name is an homage to the deeply inspiring "Si Se Puede" spirit of the farmworker and social justice movement led by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, to Melody's time serving in President Barack Obama's campaign and Administration, to the belief that hope is a powerful engine for change, and to her smart and loving niece named Hope.
Melody's professional background
Professional Highlights
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Executive Director, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics at the U.S. Department of Education in President Joe Biden's Administration
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National Education Association, Senior Policy & Program Analyst for Latino Community Advocacy & Partner Engagement
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Presidential appointee in President Barack Obama's Administration - U.S. Office of Personnel Management Deputy Chief of Staff and U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety & Health Administration Chief of Staff
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Founding Director of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda's Latino Appointments Program and LatinasRepresent Initiative
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Director of the State Latino Vote Program for President Obama's 2012 re-election and Governor Ralph Northam's 2017 election
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Director of Member Outreach for then-Congressman Xavier Becerra in the Democratic Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Get Out the Vote Program for Congressman Raul Grijalva's 2010 re-election
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General Manager of the Chula Vista Convention & Visitors Bureau and Manager of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Chula Vista program
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News writer for San Diego's NBC 7/39 News Affiliate
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University of California San Diego Board President
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Former Board member of Governor Ralph Northam's Virginia Latino Advisory Board, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement's national board
Leadership Training
Georgetown University Executive Leadership Coaching Certificate
Center for Creative Leadership Executive Leadership Development Program
Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Executive Leadership Program
National Hispana Leadership Institute Fellow
Obama Administration's White House Presidential Leadership Workshop (PLW) participant and Management & Leadership Workshop (MLW) facilitator
LEAD San Diego participant
Leadership Chula Vista program manager and facilitator
Education
Georgetown University, Master of Public Policy in International Policy Development
Oxford University, Summer International Management Program with Georgetown University in England
University of California San Diego, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with Minors in Environmental Studies, Spanish Literature and Theater
Universidad de Sevilla, Spanish Literature Study Abroad Program in Spain
San Diego State University, Event and Meeting Planning Certificate Coursework
Corepower Yoga, Certified 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200)