Melinda was hired at Discovery Living in 2012 as a direct care worker. Melinda then served as an Associate Coordinator for three years before being hired as the Associate Director of Planning and Training in 2017. Melinda has a master’s degree in social psychology from the University of Northern Iowa and is a certified First Aid and CPR instructor.

Prior to her career in social services, Melinda earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of Iowa and worked newspaper production and graphic design for 20 years, including 16 years at The Gazette in Cedar Rapids.