Georgianna Melendez, PhD, Assistant Professor of Management in Western New England University’s College of Business, has been named to the Amplify LatinX (ALX) 100 list for 2024. Melendez recognition reflects her service and commitment to impacting change in Latine communities.
The ALX100 recognizes 100 exceptional Latino leaders from across Massachusetts who have demonstrated excellence and have made significant contributions in their respective fields and communities.
Meléndez is an experienced academic and organizational leader with expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), organizational behavior, and human resource management. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Management at Western New England University (WNE), teaching courses focused on leadership, team dynamics, and managing a diverse workforce. Her research explores critical topics such as the intersection of gender, race, and power in organizations, with a focus on identity and meritocracy.
"Georgianna Melendez embodies a commitment to leadership and service both on campus and in the broader community," said Sharianne Walker, PhD, Dean of the College of Business. "As she continues her journey at WNE, her inclusion on the ALX 100 list highlights her potential to make a lasting impact on our students, colleagues, and the Latine community through her teaching and research."
Meléndez has held multiple leadership roles, including serving as Assistant Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer at UMass Boston, where she led DEI initiatives and provided strategic oversight on Title IX compliance and as the former Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Development and Community Relations at the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance. She is currently an appointee to the Governor’s Commission – Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, where she has served for six years, contributing to efforts to implement tax incentive programs for employers in Massachusetts. She is also a mentor for Conexión, supporting rising mid-career Latine leaders.
Throughout her career, Meléndez has contributed significantly to academia and the public sector. She has published research on diversity and inclusion and co-authored works exploring gender and race in the workforce. Her ongoing research includes studies on entrepreneurship in post-disaster Puerto Rico and the role of luck in meritocracy. Additionally, she has presented at numerous conferences and been an invited speaker on topics related to DEI and leadership.
Her career in public service and nonprofit sectors has focused on community development, domestic violence advocacy, and fostering inclusive work environments. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
Her academic service includes journal article reviews, mentoring, and participation in various professional organizations, such as the Academy of Management. Meléndez is also actively involved in community engagement, including past board membership and mentoring roles for organizations like the Greater Boston Boys & Girls Club and United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Early in her career, Meléndez is credited with creating the foundation for Safelink, the Massachusetts Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline. Meléndez earned her PhD in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston (2019), specializing in Organizations and Social Change. Her dissertation examined how identity concerns impact entrepreneurship among underrepresented minorities. She also holds an MS in Public Affairs and a BA in English.
The full 100 list is available on the @bostonglobe website and is featured in the 9/15 issue of the Globe Magazine.
Melendez will be featured in the six-month ALX100 campaign, which celebrates the ALX100 through events, a traveling exhibition, and media partnerships. Together, we celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our community as a collective.
