Melissa Janiszewski
Chief Executive Officer
Melissa Janiszewski
Melissa is a seasoned public sector leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing public health, social services, operations, and community economic development across the U.S. and internationally. She brings deep expertise in health systems, policy, and organizational operations, and has led initiatives that improve outcomes for children, families, and historically underinvested communities. Melissa has worked alongside government agencies, philanthropy, and nonprofits to design and implement strategies that address systemic inequities while building long-term, community-centered impact.
Her commitment to public service is reflected in her leadership at Denver’s Office of Children’s Affairs (OCA), where she served as both Executive Director, a mayoral-appointed role, and Deputy Executive Director. During her tenure, she established four new departments dedicated to youth violence prevention, youth mental health, maternal and child health, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care.
Melissa’s leadership is rooted in equity and strengthened by decades of cross-sector collaboration. Known for her ability to navigate complexity, align diverse stakeholders, and drive measurable results, she has managed multi-million-dollar budgets, implemented operational improvements, and stewarded public resources with transparency and accountability. Her work reflects a consistent commitment to advancing equity, fostering trust, and ensuring that investments deliver meaningful, lasting impact.