Director Melissa Hanson

Melissa Hanson is a ninth-generation YTT tribal member from Tilhini (San Luis Obispo). She earned a BS in Food Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. After graduation, she moved to the Central Valley, where she worked for Gallo Winery as a beverage product developer and later as an assistant winemaker. During her time at Gallo, she completed an MBA at California State University, Stanislaus.

In 2004, Melissa chose to leave the workforce to focus on raising her growing family. Over the past two decades, she’s been actively involved in her community, serving as a teacher, leader, and board member for many local and national organizations. While raising her family, Melissa combined her passion for long-distance running with her entrepreneurial drive to establish a small software company dedicated to supporting school-based running clubs. Her software application, StrideTrack, is used by schools across the United States and Australia to promote physical activity among young children.

Melissa and her husband, Jeff, have been married for over 20 years and have raised three daughters and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, camping, baking, and pottery.