Speaker details

Biography

A New York native, Melanie is an experienced labor and employment attorney with a diverse background spanning public service, union representation, technology, and global business expansion. Melanie began her legal career with the New York State Department of Labor, where she developed a strong foundation in labor law, regulatory compliance, and public sector policy. Building on this experience, she relocated to California to serve as in-house labor counsel for a public sector union, advising on complex labor relations, collective bargaining, and workforce governance matters. Following her work in the union space, Melanie joined a technology startup as General Counsel, where she oversaw a broad legal portfolio, including employment, corporate governance, and operational risk during a period of rapid growth. Most recently, Melanie joined Taco Bell, where she leads Global Labor and Employment and U.S. Franchise Development. In this role, she advises on workforce strategy across international markets, manages employment risk at scale, and partners closely with business leaders to support franchise operations and growth.