Melanie Owen

Human Resources Associate

Melanie implements and manages SELC’s human resources information systems and ensures compliance with various human resources and business requirements. She also supports onboarding of new employees and plans the bi-annual introductory event, SELC 101. She is proud of the work to upgrade SELC from cumbersome spreadsheets to track employee information.  

“I have been following SELC’s work since I moved to Charlottesville in 2020,” Melanie said. “I am inspired by the drive of the organization to protect and preserve our natural resources. As a nature lover, I feel honored to be a part of the work.” 

Melanie grew up in Hesperia, a small California city in the Mojave Desert. After moving to North Carolina, she would drive with her husband to visit his family in the Shenandoah Valley. The beauty of Afton, VA, and the Rockfish Valley always prompted her same comment: “Wow, this would be a great place to live!” They bought their first house in Afton and now raise their children there, close to the Blue Ridge Mountains. “I love where I live,” she said.  

• Society for Human Resource Management, certified professional (SHRM-CP) 
• Ecornell, Diversity and Inclusion for Human Resources certificate  
• B.A., California State University Fullerton