
Non-Profit Founder
For Melissa Blaustein, being Jewish is an integral part of her identity. She participates in Rabbi Sydney Mintz’s 13th Tribe Torah Study and is a proud member of the JCRC’s Bay Area Network of Jewish Officials (BANJO). She also serves on the JCRC Development Committee and supports Jewish allies through the Bay Area Jewish Action Network. Before Melissa, a Sausalito City Council member, made history as the city’s youngest-ever mayor, she founded Allied for Startups, a Brussels-based organization that improved the business environment for tech startups in over 30 countries. An accomplished marathon swimmer, she conquered the English Channel in under 16 hours and holds a world record for crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Melissa’s distinguished career includes service in the Obama White House, the United Nations, Mayor Gavin Newsom’s administration, and on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ campaign. A UC Berkeley graduate with a master’s in public affairs from Sciences Po Paris, she is pursuing an additional master’s degree at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Her diverse background, combining local leadership, global perspective, and personal drive, positions Melissa as an excellent candidate for boards seeking innovative leadership and diverse expertise in both community affairs and international policy.