CATHERINE MELENDEZ - Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Mayor & City Council / Events Coordinator - CITY OF ENGLEWOOD

Summary

Detail-oriented professional specializing in executive administration, municipal operations, and project coordination. Demonstrates strong critical thinking and sound judgment while managing competing priorities in fast-paced environments. Delivers effective communication and coordinates complex initiatives, anticipating needs and adapting to evolving challenges.

Overview

1

Language

1

Certification

28

years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Mayor & City Council / Events Coordinator

CITY OF ENGLEWOOD

Englewood, New Jersey

12.2015 - Current

Provided executive and administrative support to City Manager, Mayor, City Council, and Department Heads, facilitating daily municipal operations and special projects.
Serve as a key liaison between the City Manager’s Office, City departments, elected officials, residents, businesses, vendors, community organizations, and outside agencies, exercising discretion, sound judgment, and initiative in addressing inquiries and resolving issues.
Provide comprehensive executive and administrative support to the City Manager, Mayor, City Council and Department Heads, assisting with daily municipal operations, priorities, initiatives, and special projects.
Coordinate and track cross-departmental projects, assignments, initiatives, and deliverables, conducting follow-up with departments and outside agencies to ensure priorities, deadlines, and objectives are met.
Provide support on confidential HR and employee-related matters, coordinating with appropriate City departments and ensuring sensitive issues receive timely follow-up.
Draft, prepare, review, and distribute official correspondence, reports, presentations, communications, and other municipal documents; assist with City Council packets and City Manager presentations.
Organize and coordinate Town Halls, community meetings, public programs, presentations, and municipal meetings, including scheduling, preparation of materials, technology, communications, and logistics.
Assist with the development and production of the City’s annual Budget Book for the Mayor and City Council as part of the municipal budget process.
Coordinated planning, logistics, scheduling, and communications for relocation of City departments and City Hall renovations, ensuring continuity of City operations during transitions.
Manage and maintain the City’s website and mobile app, ensuring information is accurate, current, accessible, and easy for residents to navigate.
Manage the City’s social media accounts and public communications, including website announcements, newsletters, press materials, and other information distributed to residents.
Prepare and distribute RAVE emergency notifications and citywide robocalls to communicate emergency alerts, critical information, and important announcements to residents.
Develop and coordinate the City’s annual 40-page resident calendar, providing information regarding City services, events, garbage collection, important dates, and community activities.
Coordinate municipal purchasing and operational needs, including invoices, quotes, vendors, facilities, maintenance, repairs, security, building access, and service providers.
Assigned, instructed, and supervised staff members, ensuring tasks and responsibilities were completed effectively.
Coordinate and manage municipal employee conferences from start to finish, including registrations, badges, hotel accommodations, travel logistics, schedules, and the City’s official dinner.
Plan, coordinate, and oversee the City’s annual calendar of events and community programs, managing multiple events throughout the year from initial planning through completion.
Coordinate event logistics involving vendors, police, fire, DPW, permits, insurance, tents, tables, entertainment, food, site requirements, communications, and day-of-event operations.
Help produce and coordinate the Englewood Night Market, a large-scale community event attracting 8,000+ attendees and recognized with Best of Bergen awards in 2025 and 2026.
Led community outreach and public awareness efforts for the 2020 U.S. Census, educating residents about the importance of the Census and encouraging participation through community engagement.

Legal Assistant

WHITE & WILLIAMS LLP

Newark, New Jersey

08.1998 - 12.2015

Provided comprehensive administrative and legal support to attorneys handling complex defense and commercial litigation matters, managing a portfolio of 350+ active cases.
Prepared pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests, correspondence, and other litigation documents in support of ongoing matters.
Maintained accurate case files, calendars, documentation, deadlines, and litigation records while ensuring required materials completed timely and accurately.
Coordinated attorney calendars, court appearances, meetings, conference calls, and travel arrangements, ensuring seamless logistics for litigation activities.
Facilitated communication among clients, attorneys, opposing counsel, court personnel, insurance representatives, and expert witnesses, strengthening professional relationships and case collaboration.
Managed Examination Under Oath (EUO) files, including scheduling, documentation, coordination, communications, and follow-up.
Maintained confidentiality of client and case information, exercising professionalism and sound judgment in handling sensitive materials.
Supported attorneys in a fast-paced, deadline-driven litigation environment requiring exceptional organization, accuracy, prioritization, and attention to detail.

Education

B.A. - Public Administration

Fairleigh Dickinson University

No Degree - Paralegal Program

Berkeley College

Skills

Web content management
Mobile app management
RAVE Emergency Notification System
Mass notification systems
Project management

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Microsoft Teams
Zoom
Edmunds