Melina Perez hails from Los Angeles, California. She graduated with a Master of Public Policy from the Hertie School in Berlin, Germany in 2021 where she focused her research on digital democracy and public sector innovation. After her graduate studies, she interned at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, working on transatlantic affairs and diplomacy. Prior to grad school, Melina worked as a legal assistant in Los Angeles, as an English teacher in Tokyo, Japan, and for a civic engagement non-profit as a Program Coordinator where she convened Latino elected officials for national policy programs. Melina is passionate about achieving social equity by advancing underrepresented groups’ representation in decision-making and international affairs. Melina holds B.A. in English and Spanish from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and making new friends.