Melissa Sparks-Kranz is a legislative affairs lobbyist at the League of California Cities, specializing in water, environmental, and natural resources policy for California cities since August 2023. Prior experience includes serving as an Executive Policy Advisor at the California Department of Water Resources and various roles at the Association of California Water Agencies, where responsibilities ranged from regulatory advocacy to state relations. Additional positions held include Environmental Scientist at the California Department of Water Resources, Field Representative in the California State Senate, and Lecturer at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Melissa completed a Master's in Public Policy and a Bachelor's in Environmental Management and Protection from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, along with a high school diploma from C.K. McClatchy High School.