Melissa is a Queer Latina TV Writer from Elgin, Illinois. She has always loved the creative arts and connecting with others through storytelling. Early on she studied theatre at Larkin's Visual and Performing Arts Academy which led to her pursuit of a career in filmmaking. She received her degree in the Media Sciences: Directing for Film and TV Broadcast from Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy in Chicago. One of the highlights of her academic career was directing a live-broadcast interview with Ken Burns for WTTW's docuseries, THE DUST BOWL. 

 

Melissa began in film production as a PA on the set of MUNGER ROAD in 2011. She made the jump from movies to television in 2017 as a Producing Director's Assistant to the late-David Rodriguez on Showtime's THE CHI. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, she stepped into the Writers' room as a Writers' Production Assistant and Writers' Assistant on John Well's SHAMELESS and ANIMAL KINGDOM. Melissa achieved her first writing credit on the 2022 series IN FROM THE COLD. She's currently in development on a few projects across the fields of drama, comedy, adventure, history, and sci-fi. She is a proud member of Latinas Acting Up and passionate about telling stories that represent the marginalized underrepresented voices of Women, Latina, and LGBTQ+ individuals in her community. Melissa's wonderful spirit of collaboration and deep desire to move audiences through intentionality and authenticity, make her an invaluable collaborator and creative partner. She believes that we must bring forward the change we wish to see in the world.

​