Melissa Smith comes to Change Matrix (CM) with a wealth of experience empowering individuals and communities through education, coaching, and advocacy. She grew up in Virginia and found her calling as an educator early on. After obtaining her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Melissa worked for over 15 years as a teacher, curriculum designer, and instructional coach in Virginia Beach and Roanoke public schools. It was through her teaching career that Melissa’s passion for equity blossomed. She spearheaded social-emotional learning initiatives to support students’ wellbeing and sense of belonging. Seeing the transformational impact this had, especially for students from marginalized, silenced, and underserved communities, ignited Melissa’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice. Outside the classroom, Melissa has worked extensively as an equity strategist, DEI consultant, and leadership coach. She’s partnered with organizations across education, healthcare, and the private sector to guide culture change and build psychologically safe, inclusive environments. Her superpower is helping people recognize their inherent worth and potential. Now she brings her superpower to the work of Change Matrix.
What drew you to CM?
Change Matrix’s mission to strengthen systems that serve communities powerfully aligns with my values. I am drawn to their focus on building capacity in mental health and early childhood so that organizations can better meet the needs of children and youth. As a Change Consultant, I get to share my expertise in social-emotional learning, healing-centered care, and belonging to ensure all youth, especially those experiencing systemic oppression, get the support they need to thrive. I am grateful to join an organization as committed as I am to uplifting young lives. My own journey of feeling marginalized fuels my passion for a just world where every child’s humanity and potential is recognized.
What is your role at CM?
In my role as a Change Consultant at CM, I serve in several positions:
For Early Childhood Systems Technical Assistance and Coordination Center (ECS TACC), I provide technical assistance to state agencies to strengthen early childhood systems and promote early developmental health through a prevention lens. My goal is to help states increase equitable, sustainable, comprehensive, and inclusive access to care by advancing cross-sector collaboration, partnerships, and leadership opportunities for families.
Through my work as a School Mental Health (SMH) specialist for the Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), I collaborate on project teams to bring awareness to student mental health and provide evidence-based school mental health support and services. I provide technical assistance and training on implementation of mental health services in schools and school systems.
Additionally, I am a Technical Assistance (TA) specialist for the Achieving Behavioral Health Equity (ABHE) initiative. This important work is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE). In this role, I deliver training, coaching, and capacity building to support more equitable and culturally responsive behavioral health services.
I feel grateful to serve in these complementary roles that allow me to advance Change Matrix’s mission of systems improvement and health equity, especially for youth and families from marginalized communities. My expertise in equity, social-emotional learning, and healing-centered engagement helps strengthen organizations to better meet community needs.
Which project or assignment are you most excited about?
The work I’m doing with the MHTTC School Mental Health initiative is incredibly meaningful and exciting for me. As a “former” educator, I have a deep passion for supporting student wellbeing through social-emotional learning, positive school climate, and educational equity. In my role as a School Mental Health specialist, I get to utilize my expertise in these areas to develop products, resources, and professional learning courses for K-12 educators on critical topics like youth mental health, healing-centered practices, and belonging.
One project I’m particularly thrilled about is creating engaging professional learning opportunities to assist educators and school staff in supporting the mental health of students in the classroom. Professional learning offers evidence-based strategies and skills to engage and support students experiencing adversity and distress. Working with MHTTC allows me to live out my calling of empowering schools to create safe, inclusive environments where all students can thrive. I’m able to leverage my knowledge and experience to equip educators with the tools they need to support the whole child. It’s incredibly fulfilling work that aligns with my values and passion for uplifting youth.
Why did you choose equity work?
My early experiences of being treated as an outsider significantly shaped my life’s direction. Throughout my academic journey, I was sharply conscious of the glaring omission of diverse viewpoints and narratives in the literature I encountered, the historical figures I studied, and the peers I interacted with. I also observed how some students received favorable treatment and opportunities based solely on their race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Although I lacked the specific terminology to label it as “exclusion,” I recognized the injustice and regularly experienced feelings of isolation. As I navigated my way from elementary school to higher education and into my teaching career, I faced numerous instances of explicit and implicit racial bias that intensified my dedication to championing social justice and racial equity.
I stand firm in my conviction that self-awareness and dedication to personal development can help us surmount the systemic biases that separate us and pave the way for a healthier future. As I often state, “The key to effecting change is self-knowledge; the extent to which we understand ourselves directly correlates to our ability to know and empathize with others.” I inspire people to be catalysts for positive, equitable transformation by challenging societal norms and initiating behavioral change.
I am deeply passionate about creating fair and inclusive spaces for everyone. My interest in people’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior drives this passion. I know that our emotions shape our experiences and the way we relate to each other. I have dedicated my life to removing barriers that prevent understanding and building caring, just communities. As an author, speaker, and community advocate, I encourage others to express their authentic selves fully and collectively, tirelessly championing a future where all people are welcomed, accepted, and empowered to reach their highest potential.
