Program Director and Founder

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers or They/Them/Theirs

Registered Yoga Therapist 200 hours, International Yoga Alliance, 2022

Certified Adult Mental Health First Aider, National Council for Mental Wellbeing USA (2022)

Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition, Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board (2019)

Certified Food and SPirit Practitioner, Dr Deanna Minich (2018)

Holistic Nutrition Consultant Certification, Bauman College (2016)

National Association of Nutrition Professionals, Professional Member (2016)

Melissa, is a founder of Banyan Tree Women's Collective. She is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition and a Food & Spirit practitioner based in Menlo Park, Ca. Melissa utilizes a range of wellness modalities to assist her clients with reclaiming and improving their health, vitality, and well-being. Melissa was reared by parents who struggled with mental-health issues and addiction. Growing up on a small farm in North Texas, she learned at an early age, from her grandfather, to respect the land, especially by growing your own food. Her family was poor, and education was not a central priority. Abuse was rampant throughout the family, and, after her grandfather died, the land wasn’t farmed and her parents both drifted into drug abuse. Growing up in poverty, she learned how limited the options for nutrition and wellness support usually are in marginalized communities.