Melissa Villagomez
Area Director - San Diego @American Foundation For Suicide Prevention
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WORK HISTORY
Area Director - San Diego @American Foundation For Suicide Prevention
San Diego, CA, US
Serve as the Area Director for the San Diego region, leading community engagement, fundraising, and volunteer efforts in support of suicide prevention, education, advocacy, and survivor support.Collaborate with volunteers, community partners, and stakeholders to strengthen local impact, foster meaningful connections, and expand access to compassionate, evidence-informed programming. Committed to building inclusive spaces for those affected by suicide and advancing AFSP’s mission of saving lives and bringing hope to those impacted by suicide.
EDUCATION
California State University San Marcos
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Sociology and Criminology
University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences
Master's degree, Nonprofit Leadership and Management
MiraCosta College
Associate of Arts (A.A.), Sociology
ABOUT MELISSA VILLAGOMEZ
As a nonprofit leader, TEDx speaker, and former foster youth, I’ve built a career rooted in resilience, purpose, and advocacy. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit development and youth empowerment, I now focus on using my personal story and professional expertise to drive systems-level change through keynote speaking and consulting.I had the honor of sharing my journey on the TEDx stage in [Breaking the Cycle of Foster Care Through Caring Communities](https://youtu.be/HCsUpaT0Duo?si=coGsT5IoMNZm8x0A), where I spoke about the transformative power of compassion and community in the lives of foster youth. Since then, I’ve been invited to speak at leadership summits, universities, and nonprofit gatherings—delivering messages that inspire action and amplify underrepresented voices.As a consultant, I help mission-driven organizations strengthen their impact through grant development, storytelling strategy, and community-centered program design. My approach blends lived experience with a deep understanding of nonprofit systems, equity, and fundraising.Whether I’m speaking on stage or partnering with a team behind the scenes, my mission is the same: to inspire change through storytelling, advocacy, and leadership. Let’s connect to explore how we can collaborate to create lasting impact.
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