About

A committed advocate for Filipino-American empowerment, Melanie has served on multiple nonprofit boards and remains active in cultural organizations throughout San Diego. In 2025, Melanie received mon he has held leadership roles at Mission Federal Credit Union, Wells Fargo, and US Bank, championing inclusive service, cultural representation, and meaningful community engagement. Her professional path began in Tokyo, where she served as a Project Manager for a courier service supporting Filipino expatriates across Japan.

In 2018, Melanie founded The House of Plants, a boutique studio dedicated to simply beautiful houseplants thoughtfully paired with equally beautiful pots. What began as a passion project has grown into a curated plant experience rooted in sustainability, design, and joy. Her Hillcrest studio welcomes guests by appointment, offering a personalized and intentional approach to plant styling.

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, where she received the prestigious Institute Leadership Award for excellence in co‑curricular leadership.

A committed advocate for Filipino-American empowerment, Melanie has served on multiple nonprofit boards and remains active in cultural organizations throughout San Diego. In 2025, Melanie received multiple awards including Mission Fed’s Inclusion Advocate Award being the founding president of its Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group. That same year, the City of National City honored her with a commendation for her leadership and her impactful work uplifting the Filipino community through the Buy Filipino Network.

Melanie continues to blend her professional expertise, cultural pride, and entrepreneurial spirit to create spaces—both financial and creative—where people feel seen, supported, and inspired.