Melissa Rinehart is a proud Fort Wayne native.  After graduating from Snider High School, Melissa went on to earn her undergraduate degree in political science from Indiana University Fort Wayne. She continued to earn a master's from the University of Texas San Antonio and later a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Michigan State University. 

Melissa currently serves as the Education Director at Neighborhood Health Clinic, a federally qualified health center providing holistic healthcare to disadvantaged populations. She also serves on the Legacy Joint Funding Committee and the Fort Wayne Sister Cities International Board of Directors. She is a proud graduate of Hoosier Women Forward and a member of AVOW (Advancing Voices of Women). 

Her past professional roles include university professor, nonprofit executive director, consultant, researcher, writer, and trainer. Melissa has worked closely with a diverse array of communities, including many who are too often underserved or left behind.

Melissa is a fierce advocate for doing the right thing. Melissa enjoys volunteering, writing, gardening, and a nice cup of coffee with friends.