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Melissa Villarreal serves as the Vice President of Employee and Community Engagement for Southwest Key Programs and works closely with the Board of Directors and Office of the President and Chief Executive Officer. Since 2008, Melissa has led community events, and performance art productions, and developed numerous health and wellness, cultural arts, and continuing education program initiatives for youth and adults at Southwest Key Programs. Her work through Southwest Key is deeply rooted in its mission of “opening doors to opportunity so individuals can achieve their dreams” and proudly serves with her regional team in California, Arizona, and Texas.

Melissa’s tenured dedication has included assisting heavily with the opening of two public charter schools: East Austin College Prep Charter School in Austin, and Promesa College Prep Charter School and a Kaboom playscape in Corpus Christi. Melissa also assisted in the opening of an Emergency Shelter in Ventura, California, Winter Emergency Overflow Shelter in Austin for unsheltered adults, advocacy and support in providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), mobile vaccinations, and food and water, during the COVID-19 pandemic in partnership with the Housing Authority for the City of Austin residencies that included the Santa Rita Courts, Chalmers, and Booker T. Washington in East Austin. Most recently, Melissa opened the Victor R. Garza Community Center at Southwest Key Programs National Headquarters in Austin. She continues to develop and manage multiple community partnerships to leverage resources for marginalized communities.