Melody Vela

Born in Tijuana, Melody Vela was raised in Chula Vista; she comes from a mixed background of Mexican, Guatemalan, Irish and Italian background and calls her self-LATINA. Bilingual and bicultural, Melody loves to meet new people, dance to new music and taste new wines. She is very proud to have already traveled to over 25 countries and will not die until she can see 25 more.
Melody has already spent most of her life volunteering (Thanks to MR VELA-her dad), as a high school student, she visited orphanages in Tijuana and in college she became involved with Alpha Pi Sigma – Latina Based Sorority. Volunteering to help the community is second nature to her. Through these organizations her goal is to reach the students in the communities of San Diego County with noteworthy prevention education.
Melody earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology from SDSU and her Master’s in Business Administration. She has worked as a peer advisor, counselor, coordinator, outreach consultant, manager, and director of various programs and projects in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Melody currently works for Labors Community Service Agency as the Executive Director but was best know for her work as a tobacco control advocate who assisted the County with having restaurants go smoke-free.