Mel Flanagan is the Senior Program Manager for the California Justice Leaders AmeriCorps program, which provides employment and growth opportunities to young adults with prior involvement in the justice system by hiring them to serve as reentry navigators for individuals who have experienced juvenile justice involvement. Mel oversees the implementation of the program across 10 counties and leads the development of the programmatic structures and training curriculum.
Mel has spent her career working to increase opportunities for underserved youth and young adults. She has extensive experience facilitating trainings and providing one-on-one coaching particularly around workforce development and educational access. She most recently managed an employment program for transitional-aged youth facing barriers to employment. Mel earned her Bachelor of Arts with a major in sociology and minor in journalism, ethics & democracy from the University of Notre Dame.