Executive Leadership and Community Impact: A CSUEB Nonprofit Management Certificate Alumna Leading Meals on Wheels of Alameda County

Every day, across Alameda County, thousands of seniors wait for a knock on the door. What arrives is not only a meal, but also a moment of connection - an interaction that can carry significant meaning for individuals experiencing isolation.

Meals on Wheels of Alameda County serves as an umbrella organization supporting five independent Meals on Wheels delivery programs across the county, providing centralized fundraising and administrative leadership. Together, these programs serve approximately 2,700 homebound seniors each day, helping older adults maintain independence while addressing both nutritional and social needs. Under the leadership of Executive Director Marisa P. Melo, the organization has strengthened its fundraising capacity and organizational infrastructure through a combination of strategic development and relationship-centered practice.

Melo's approach to this work is shaped in part by her upbringing and early experiences with caregiving. Born in Portugal and raised in the United States, she spent part of her childhood living with her grandmother after the loss of her grandfather. That period of shared care left a lasting impression, informing her understanding of aging, independence and the importance of remaining in one's home. She has reflected that her grandmother, who did not drive, might have depended on a program like Meals on Wheels to maintain that independence.

Since becoming executive director nine years ago, Melo has focused on building organizational infrastructure and expanding fundraising efforts. During her time in the organization, annual revenue has grown from approximately $900,000 to $2.1 million, with 85-95% of funding coming from individual donors. Her leadership is guided by a long-term, relationship-based approach to fundraising, shaped by a principle she learned from a former city manager: "How do we get to 'yes'?"

Central to this approach is a commitment to valuing all contributors equally. As Melo explains, "whether you give $25 or $25,000, I value you equally," a perspective that informs the organization's emphasis on personalized outreach, gratitude, and sustained donor engagement.

Melo completed Cal State East Bay's Nonprofit Management Certificate Program in 2021, describing the experience as instrumental in strengthening her leadership practice, expanding her professional network, and deepening her understanding of nonprofit strategy. The program's emphasis on collaboration and applied learning informed not only her approach at Meals on Wheels, but also her broader professional trajectory.

In 2025, Melo founded Elevar Strategies, a consulting practice dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations in fundraising, storytelling and strategic growth. The name - derived from the Portuguese word elevar, meaning "to elevate" - reflects both her cultural roots and her commitment to advancing mission-driven work. Drawing on her leadership experience and formal training, the firm extends her impact beyond a single organization, supporting others in strengthening their capacity and reach.

Even as her work expands through Elevar Strategies, Melo remains closely connected to the lived experiences that first drew her to this field.

For Melo, it is in these everyday moments that the impact becomes most visible - "that knock on the door means the world."