Melissa Padilla
Collaboration and Special Initiatives Coordinator, San Diego Grantmakers
she/her

Melissa Padilla is the Collaboration and Special Initiatives Coordinator for San Diego Grantmakers, where she supports the organization’s seven funder and cross-sector, issue-based, collaboratives. Prior to her time working in the philanthropic sector, Melissa served as the Deputy Finance Director for the Passons for Supervisor 2018 campaign in San Diego’s fourth supervisor district. Passionate about advancing gender justice and human rights in our community and abroad, in a volunteer capacity, Melissa serves as the Legislative Research & Advocacy Coordinator for the United Nations Association – San Diego chapter where she oversees legislative research and advocacy efforts on various issues such as migration, housing, women’s rights, and climate justice. Melissa also sits on the Steering Committee for the San Diego chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP).

Melissa graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of San Diego in 2017 with a BA in Political Science and double minor in Philosophy and Gender Studies. There she also served as the Campaign Director for USD Votes, Outreach Chair for Pi Sigma Alpha, and member of Phi Beta Kappa. Originally from the Inland Empire, in her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time exploring San Diego’s food scene, hiking trails, and beaches.