Melissa Assalone, Msw Email & Phone Number

Richmond, Va

Richmond, Va

• Provided proactive leadership to carry out the association’s objectives through strategic and day-to-day operations.• Served as the primary spokesperson for VFIA and the grocery and food industry with government, policymakers, and the media.• Served as the primary lobbyist for the association by maintaining strong legislative relationships, monitoring legislative committees, assembling witness testimony, and building consensus with stakeholders. • Implemented and directed… Show more • Provided proactive leadership to carry out the association’s objectives through strategic and day-to-day operations.• Served as the primary spokesperson for VFIA and the grocery and food industry with government, policymakers, and the media.• Served as the primary lobbyist for the association by maintaining strong legislative relationships, monitoring legislative committees, assembling witness testimony, and building consensus with stakeholders. • Implemented and directed statewide membership recruitment and retention strategies to grow VFIA and its brand.• Developed public policy positions and provided strategic guidance to advance policy priorities before state and local government and other legislative bodies. • Monitored and participated in regulatory processes and work groups that impacted the retail industry in Virginia. • Coordinated legislative and regulatory meetings with representatives from member companies. • Liaised between members and the Virginia Emergency Management Division during times of emergency. Show less

Richmond, Virginia Area

• Successfully oversaw passage and implementation of health care, education, and nutrition-related legislation and budget items.• Analyzed, synthesized, and acted on legislation, regulation, and budget documents on the state and local levels relating to health care, education, nutrition, and public health.• Effectively built relationships with elected officials on the state and local level in support of American Heart Association policy priorities.• Coordinated media advocacy… Show more • Successfully oversaw passage and implementation of health care, education, and nutrition-related legislation and budget items.• Analyzed, synthesized, and acted on legislation, regulation, and budget documents on the state and local levels relating to health care, education, nutrition, and public health.• Effectively built relationships with elected officials on the state and local level in support of American Heart Association policy priorities.• Coordinated media advocacy strategies including print, radio, and social media, for legislative priorities.• Recruited and mobilized volunteers and organizations to participate in critical campaign activities, such as legislator meetings, media events, and lobby days.• Provided strategic guidance to volunteers, coworkers, and external organizations to ensure successful passage of legislation.• Managed multi-disciplinary teams to expand the reach and impact of American Heart Association policies.• Developed and implemented strategic plans that include research, capacity assessment, and identifying influence tactics to guide policy campaigns and track critical processes.• Coordinated and executed media advocacy strategies for the campaign to educate and engage the public.• Convened and cultivated relationships with diverse coalition partners and stakeholders to ensure successful local and state policy campaigns. Show less

Richmond, Virginia Area

• Developed and implemented a strategic plan including research, capacity assessment, and identifying influence tactics to guide a policy campaign and track critical processes.• Coordinated and executed media advocacy strategies for the campaign to educate and engage the public.• Convened and cultivated relationships with diverse coalition partners and stakeholders to advocate for the campaign and to contribute to program development of a healthy food financing initiative.•… Show more • Developed and implemented a strategic plan including research, capacity assessment, and identifying influence tactics to guide a policy campaign and track critical processes.• Coordinated and executed media advocacy strategies for the campaign to educate and engage the public.• Convened and cultivated relationships with diverse coalition partners and stakeholders to advocate for the campaign and to contribute to program development of a healthy food financing initiative.• Organized a summit with key partners to engage industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders and discuss strategy for a statewide healthy food financing initiative. Show less

Richmond, Virginia Area

• Collected and compiled data from participating schools, summer sponsor or afterschool sites to track progress and provide impact stories on the program’s success.• Supported strategies to increase participation in the federal child nutrition programs in Virginia.• Conducted outreach to School Nutrition directors, principals, superintendents, teachers, Boards of Education, parents, local Governor's Roundtable members, student organizations, local charities, neighborhood organizations… Show more • Collected and compiled data from participating schools, summer sponsor or afterschool sites to track progress and provide impact stories on the program’s success.• Supported strategies to increase participation in the federal child nutrition programs in Virginia.• Conducted outreach to School Nutrition directors, principals, superintendents, teachers, Boards of Education, parents, local Governor's Roundtable members, student organizations, local charities, neighborhood organizations, community stakeholders and elected and public officials (Mayor, State Legislator, etc.) in school divisions with underutilized federal child nutrition programs in order to raise awareness and increase program participation.• Convened meetings of stakeholders and advocates in local communities to advocate for participation in federal nutrition programs• Tracked meetings and all follow-up contact, actions and communications, and maintained information within a database.• Increased awareness about the School Breakfast Program (SBP), Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and multi-faceted benefits in Virginia among communities, public officials, and community leaders through media, marketing, and targeted mailings/phone calls• Developed and updated localized information and materials for targeted towns and audiences.• Coordinated the distribution of outreach materials, including toolkits, videos, student surveys, brochures, mailers, and presentations. Show less

Richmond, Va

• Tracked legislation during the 2015 General Assembly and communicated status changes to the Chief of Staff and Policy Staff• Developed white paper addressing decreasing food insecurity, improving access to locally sourced foods, and incentivizing community based food and nutrition programs.• Supported increases in Community Eligibility Provision participation among schools and districts in Virginia• Completed strategic plan and facilitated stakeholder input for First Lady’s… Show more • Tracked legislation during the 2015 General Assembly and communicated status changes to the Chief of Staff and Policy Staff• Developed white paper addressing decreasing food insecurity, improving access to locally sourced foods, and incentivizing community based food and nutrition programs.• Supported increases in Community Eligibility Provision participation among schools and districts in Virginia• Completed strategic plan and facilitated stakeholder input for First Lady’s initiative to “Bridge the Nutritional Divide” • Organized daily event briefings and talking points on environmental literacy, school nutrition, food access, and military children to inform the First Lady and staff• Managed the scheduling and calendar of the First Lady in coordination with the Chief of Staff. Show less

Richmond, Va

• Selected as one of seven School of Social Work Peer Mentors for the 2014-2015 academic year• Communicated effectively with 10 prospective and current Masters students regarding policies and procedures• Planned biannual engagement events for the school of social work

Richmond, Va

• Completed policy report on Medicaid Expansion in Virginia and other states for Secretary of HHR• Finalized a policy comparative analysis across states on obesity prevention, food insecurity and access strategies for the Secretary of HHR and the First Lady.• Worked collaboratively with cross agency partners to create the framework for the First Lady's initiative focused on improving food security and reducing hunger in Virginia. • Staffed the Secretary for a variety of meetings… Show more • Completed policy report on Medicaid Expansion in Virginia and other states for Secretary of HHR• Finalized a policy comparative analysis across states on obesity prevention, food insecurity and access strategies for the Secretary of HHR and the First Lady.• Worked collaboratively with cross agency partners to create the framework for the First Lady's initiative focused on improving food security and reducing hunger in Virginia. • Staffed the Secretary for a variety of meetings with the Governor, cabinet secretaries, high-level agency staff and stakeholders• Prepared three charters for the Interagency Partnership to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness to develop homelessness prevention initiatives Show less

Richmond, Virginia

• Successfully designed and implemented a community outreach and engagement plan, and canvassed residents and businesses• Cultivated an empowered community through planning and facilitation of monthly community and executive meetings• Effectively communicated with community residents, staff, and stakeholders • Created an outreach booklet to provide community members strengths-based tools to foster self-sufficiency • Addressed personal practice and developed self-awareness of… Show more • Successfully designed and implemented a community outreach and engagement plan, and canvassed residents and businesses• Cultivated an empowered community through planning and facilitation of monthly community and executive meetings• Effectively communicated with community residents, staff, and stakeholders • Created an outreach booklet to provide community members strengths-based tools to foster self-sufficiency • Addressed personal practice and developed self-awareness of personal bias and paradigms for more culturally competent practice Show less

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

• Led and developed workouts for male and female sprint athletes.• Created an atmosphere conducive for athletes of varying levels.• Worked effectively alongside other coaches to develop a sense of team unity.• Promoted team unity through team building exercises and empowerment.

Master Of Social Work (M.S.W.), Social Work

Activities and Societies: Phi Alpha - Social Work Honor Society, Thomas Carlton Memorial Health Care Scholarship Recipient, MSW Social.

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Social Welfare

Activities and Societies: University of Wisconsin Track and Field, Young Life College, Athletes In Action (AIA), Students Against.