About

Melody Martínez, CVT - Organizational Culture & Capacity Strategist

she/her/ella

I’m an organizational consultant and strategist who believes that systems can better care for people when equity and compassion are at the center. I partner with mission-driven organizations to build sustainable, values-driven systems that serve the organizations and the communities they live in and support.

With two decades of experience, I bring a cross-sector lens to advancing equity, strengthening capacity, and creating lasting culture change.

Your Guide Through Change and Complexity

I support organizations navigating growth, tension, and transformation, helping them operationalize equity, strengthen culture, and build programs and practices that reflect their values in action. My work embraces cultural humility, collaboration, and practical strategies that can lead to meaningful, sustained change.

Your Strategist, Facilitator, and Thought Partner

I work alongside nonprofits, foundations, public agencies, and mission-driven businesses to untangle thorny issues in programs, structure, and culture to better align their purpose and values with everyday practice. My approach is both analytical and compassionate — grounded in data, lived experience, and community wisdom.

Rooted in Lived Experience and One Health

I’m a first-generation daughter of Afro-Caribbean immigrants from the Dominican Republic, born in Massachusetts, and now based in Portland, Oregon.

Bilingual and bicultural, I lead with empathy, curiosity, and a belief that dignity for people and dignity for animals and the environment we share are inseparable.

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Credentials & Certifications

Human Resource Management

Certificate

Portland State University Center for Executive and Professional Education

Applied Animal Behavior

Certificate

University of Washington

Equity-informed Mediation

Certificate

Resolutions Northwest

Certified Veterinary Technician

Active License

Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association

A Distinct Professional Journey in Animal Welfare, Social Justice, and Community Care

My professional background spans community organizing, philanthropy, animal welfare, and veterinary medicine. 

At Social Justice Fund Northwest and the New Economy Coalition, I organized and trained community members to understand power, become grassroots fundraisers for movement building, and practice democratic grantmaking.

I’m a Certified Veterinary Technician with clinical experience in small and large animal medicine within general practice, emergency and critical care, and in sanctuary and shelter settings. Today, I bring my experiences together as Executive Director of the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association and through work with organizations like Portland Animal Welfare (PAW) Team, helping keep people and pets together by expanding access to veterinary care and behavior support, strengthening multilingual services, and developing community partnerships that support families experiencing homelessness and extreme financial hardship.

Collaborators

  • <img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/69b845e234ae8f6d9c7db223/b832827b-c559-4dae-8129-354896d4efe8/Melody+and+Teri.jpeg?content-type=image%2Fjpeg">

    Teri has designed and led trainings related to racism and oppression for 30 years and facilitated groups professionally for 16. For the past 5 years, her work has centered on racial equity consultation for mission-driven organizations such as public agencies, nonprofits, and university departments.

  • <img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/69b845e234ae8f6d9c7db223/7aaccf7d-7c23-4b46-b4d1-f1ebf25b84cc/Sandy.jpg?content-type=image%2Fjpeg">

    Description coming soon

  • <img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/69b845e234ae8f6d9c7db223/4f091e35-e642-447e-a8bd-bce2dc5f91ac/imgi_6_Theresa_bw.jpg?content-type=image%2Fjpeg">

    Theresa is a Portland, OR based facilitator, trainer and consultant with 20 years’ experience in community organizing, community development, public policy engagement, organizational equity, conflict resolution, and restorative justice.

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The Organizations I’m Excited to Partner With:

I want to work with organizations that are committed to creating meaningful change and are ready to align their values with action.

My dream clients are those who:

  • Serve communities that are underserved, marginalized, or experiencing financial hardship.

  • Prioritize removing barriers & increasing access & fairness in their programs, policies, & culture.

  • Value both individuals & their chosen family as integral parts of the systems they support.

  • Are seeking practical, strategic, & compassionate guidance to strengthen their impact.

  • Are willing to engage deeply in organizational learning, reflection, and transformation.

  • Serve communities that are underserved, marginalized, or experiencing financial hardship.

  • Prioritize removing barriers & increasing access & fairness in their programs, policies, & culture.

  • Value both individuals & their chosen family as integral parts of the systems they support.

  • Are seeking practical, strategic, & compassionate guidance to strengthen their impact.

  • Are willing to engage deeply in organizational learning, reflection, and transformation.

These are the organizations where my experience can build systems that are sustainable, inclusive, & deeply aligned with my personal mission to create the community ecosystems we all deserve & feel nurtured in.