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Melissa (Mel) Andrada
DEI & Radical Candor Strategic Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Workshop Facilitator, Leadership Coach & Yoga Teacher
Melissa Andrada, also known as Mel, is a multifaceted professional with a diverse background and a strong commitment to social justice and personal growth. Here's an overview of her career and experiences:
Professional Background
Melissa is a Creative DEI Strategic Advisor, Leadership Coach, Workshop Facilitator, and Motivational Speaker.2 She has collaborated with over 75 organizations across 8 countries and 4 continents, driving change on a global scale since 2010.2 Her work focuses on partnering with organizations to co-design cultures of equity and psychological safety.2
Services and Expertise
Melissa offers a range of services, including:
- Strategic Advisory: Creating DEI and Mental Health strategies
- Motivational Keynotes: Galvanizing change at scale
- Workshop Facilitation: Driving collective transformation
- Leadership Coaching: Providing 1:1 support for managers and individuals2
Her programs emphasize making people feel safe, fostering authentic visionary leadership, and promoting inclusive and equitable leadership practices.2
Personal Background
Melissa identifies as a queer Filipina American born in Nigeria who came to the United States as an undocumented immigrant.1 This diverse background has shaped her perspective and fueled her passion for social justice and personal transformation.1
Education and Career Path
- Pursued a master's degree in Cultural Studies at the University of Edinburgh1
- Worked as a lead strategist for the brand consultancy Wolff Olins1
- Co-founded the learning arm of Wolff Olins1
- Served as COO and Chief Learning Officer of a VC-backed learning startup1
- Currently pursuing a Master's in Expressive Arts Therapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies3
Current Roles and Affiliations
- Faculty member at Radical Candor1
- Facilitator at General Assembly1
- Executive Director at Pacific Pride Foundation4
Personal Interests
Outside of her professional life, Melissa enjoys practicing yoga, surfing, making art, arranging flowers, and volunteering for the LGBTQ+ sangha at the East Bay Meditation Center.1
Melissa Andrada's diverse experiences and commitment to social justice have shaped her into a dynamic professional dedicated to fostering inclusive and equitable work environments while empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
Highlights
Grateful to partner with amazing leader and Head of School Imana Sherrill and hold space for her incredible teachers and staff at Trinity Episcopal School (RVA)in North Carolina this week. 🎉
Thank you for the kind words. ❤️
"Heartfelt thanks to Melissa (Mel) Andrada for an incredible Radical Candor® workshop this morning. Your guidance created a safe and open space for us to share our stories, reminding us of the power and importance of genuine connection. We developed essential skills and a common language for giving feedback, focused listening, and skillfully giving praise. This experience brought us even closer as a community dedicated to serving and caring for our students and each other with deep authenticity. Every day, I am inspired by this amazing Staculty. Trinity truly stands out in its intentional commitment to ensuring everyone is #knownandloved."
https://lnkd.in/em2ij7aw
Hope you're having a beautiful and joyful Pride Month! 🌈
For my community: Celebrate Queer Joy A personal reflection on celebrating Pride authentically
https://lnkd.in/e_nBNU7w
For our allies: Pride & Enduring Allyship for the LGBTQ2IA+ Community A thought leadership piece on the state of queer mental health with practical strategies how to support us (two years in the making 💛)
https://lnkd.in/evxhQG_R
It'd be wonderful if you could read and share with your communities and leaders.
This writing is a heartfelt contribution towards love. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for seeing you. Thank you for seeing us.
Love is Love is Love.
❤️ 🌈 ❤️ 🌈
#pride #queerallyship
