Melanie De Sousa [she/her]

Rise on Boards+ | Cohort 3

Melanie De Sousa is a non-profit leader, mental health advocate, and health services professional passionate about equity-driven innovation in Canada's nonprofit sector and community care. She currently serves as a Program Coordinator at Jack.org, where she supports over 105 youth-led school and community groups across Canada, providing mentorship, operational guidance, and capacity-building for young leaders driving change in the mental health sphere.

Previously, Melanie worked as the Health Services Coordinator at PAL Toronto, where she developed wellness programming and supported older adult performing arts professionals with care navigation and advocacy. She is also the Co-Founder of Staya, a digital mental health initiative that is reimagining access to care through the development of a 'mental health passport.'

Melanie holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in psychology, has completed graduate-level training in social work, and recently graduated from a post-graduate certificate in health services management at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, exploring Toronto in search of the best cup of coffee, and tending to her growing collection of houseplants.