As the Green Festival's Video Director, Melissa coordinates media production for the largest environmental expo in the world.

As the festival travels to US cities throughout the year – San Francisco, DC, Seattle, Chicago in 2008 – Melissa interviews visionary leaders such as Bill McKibben, Ralph Nader and Dennis Kucinich. She also produces special behind-the-scenes pieces on the Green Festival, such as Greening the Green Festival.

As a kundalini yoga teacher at The Yoga Source in San Rafael, CA, Melissa incorporates environmental sensibilities with her spiritual practice. Yoga practice cultivates a sense of unity - with mind, body and spirit - and between people and planet.

Melissa tries to be an "eco-yogi" by taking simple steps: bringing her own glass water bottle to class, buying organic cotton clothes, and avoiding driving to class. She also believes that nurturing her spiritual consciousness helps her to approach environmental and social activism with a sense of optimism, compassion and love.

As the city editor for the Claremont Courier, she wrote in-depth features on homelessness, mental illness, women in prison and fair trade.

As a former lobbyist who advocated before the Virginia General Assembly for groups such as social workers, pediatricians and domestic violence programs, Melissa retains a strong sense of political activism and grassroots motivation.

Her yearlong volunteer position at a children’s art project in a Guatemalan village enhanced her skills in community education and interpersonal connections. 

Melissa draws on her varied background to produce conscious media that engages, informs and inspires viewers.