Georgianna Melendez, PhD, assistant professor of management in Western New England University’s College of Business, has been named to the 2024 Amplify LatinX (ALX) 100 list. This honor recognizes 100 influential Latino leaders in Massachusetts who have made significant contributions to their communities and fields.

Melendez is a seasoned academic and organizational leader, specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), organizational behavior, and human resource management. Her research explores the intersections of gender, race, and power in organizations. She teaches courses at the University on leadership, team dynamics, and managing diverse workforces.

“Georgianna Melendez embodies leadership and service on campus and beyond,” said Sharianne Walker, PhD, dean of the College of Business. “Her inclusion in the ALX 100 reflects her lasting impact on students and the Latine community.”

Previously, Melendez served as assistant chancellor and chief diversity officer at UMass Boston, and assistant commissioner for strategic development at the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance. She also mentors Latine leaders through the nonprofit group Conexión and has served on the Governor’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council for six years.

Melendez’s career spans public service, academia, and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on DEI, community development, and domestic violence advocacy. Her research includes studies on entrepreneurship in post-disaster Puerto Rico and the role of meritocracy.