Melanie is a 12-year member of the Board of Education and has served as its Chairwoman for three years. She is an ex-officio member of all Board Committees which includes Policy, Curriculum, Resource Management and Business Operations, and Community Outreach. In addition, she is active on District Committees including Strategic Planning, School Climate and Business Advisory Council. She is a practicing attorney and local business owner in Bethel.

Melanie has been appointed to hold local office on the Bethel Ethics Commission and as Bethel Town Attorney, and state office on the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women. Her community service activities have included Bethel VNA Board Member, Bethel Garden Club and Bethel Land Trust member;

She is a graduate of Skidmore College, B.A. in Government and Suffolk University Law School, J.D. Melanie and her husband, Nick, have four children, all educated in the Bethel Public Schools.