↳ The Creator
National Team
Melissa Farmer
Development Manager
Melissa Farmer was born and raised in Houston, TX and spent her childhood camping, traveling the US and reading voraciously. Melissa attended the University of Houston where she studied English, creative writing and anthropology. After graduating, she soon found herself relocating to the PNW to pursue her MFA in Creative Writing at Eastern Washington University.
From adjuncting, advising and then through her work as a program manager at a creative nonprofit advocating for access and opportunity for all, Melissa has worked with students at every level of their education journey. Currently located in Oregon, Melissa is excited to continue her work as 50CAN’s Development Manager, doing the behind-the-scenes work to help every student receive the high-quality education they deserve.
More about Melissa Farmer
I aspire to be like Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Here's why:
I aspire to use my talents to make the world a better place for everyone, as she always did so well and with such grace.
“My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.”
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Why I love my job:
I love using my professional skills to make a positive impact on the community, especially the lives of young people.
My connection to public schools:
Through my previous work at a nonprofit working directly with public schools to provide extracurricular creative and STE(A)M engagement to students from low-income neighborhoods, it has become clear to me that many schools are doing their best to foster tomorrow's leaders on shoestring budgets with minimal support. I want to be part of working to change that so every student has the opportunities and resources needed to reach their full potential.
What I’m bad at:
Letting little mistakes go.
The image that represents why I work at 50CAN:
I work at 50CAN because education is a cornerstone of lifelong opportunity. Every child deserves access to high-quality education so they can be what and whoever they want to be.
Get to know Melissa Farmer's Coworkers and Board Members
