Melissa Talerand is a Community Engagement Assistant at The Miami Foundation, where she supports community outreach, administrative coordination, and relationship-building efforts that strengthen connections across Greater Miami. She is passionate about nonprofits, public service, and creating meaningful opportunities that support communities.

A graduate of the University of Miami with a degree in International Studies and Political Science and minors in Sociology and Spanish, Melissa brings a thoughtful, research-driven approach to her work. She also has previous experience working on local grassroots campaigns in Miami-Dade, where she supported community mobilization and civic engagement efforts. Through her role at The Miami Foundation, she continues to deepen her commitment to community-centered service and collaborative leadership.