Melanie Forstrom Email & Phone Number

I stepped in to the Executive Director role in 2023, having served over 11 years as the CCE Ulster 4-H Issue Leader. I've initiated and worked in campus-county collaborations and leadership roles at State and National levels and have authored and delivered 4 Cornell Cooperative Extension Innovation grants. I've worked previously in youth development for 2 decades. In my tenure at 4-H I worked with District peers to overhaul, modernize and research our public presentations preparatory program. I co-developed the 4-H Act for Change teen anti-racism program with peers and Cornell colleagues. Other programs of note I developed include the Rural Storytelling and Catskill Stream Champions programs. I delivered high-quality state/federally funded projects through Advantage Afterschool, Google and Tech Wizards programming. Prior to CCE, I co-led public high schools in NYC, worked with unhoused youth, led summer youth employment programs and even worked at the Bronx Zoo where I nurtured a love for animals, conservation efforts and education. I've lived and worked abroad and am tri-lingual in Spanish and French, which has opened countless doors. I have 15+ years of leadership experience. I have worked with vulnerable populations in NYC public schools, with homeless youth in transitional living in DC, and youth in the rural communities in which we currently work. On my free time I'm immersed in nature, and am a Catskill 35er and Winter 35er. Specialties: Anti-oppression and DEIB work, Meeting Facilitation, Public Speaking, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Professional Development, Intercultural Communication

Listed skills include Mediation, Intercultural Communication, Program Evaluation, Program Development, and 18 others.