MELANIE ASPAAS
Farmington,NM
Summary
Community-focused program and operations professional with 8+ years of experience leading and coordinating federally funded public health, behavioral health, workforce development, research, and community initiatives across Navajo Nation and rural communities. Experienced in day-to-day program operations, staff coordination, community outreach, workshops and trainings, stakeholder partnerships, budgets, procurement, scheduling, documentation, evaluation, and reporting. Brings extensive experience working alongside Native youth, families, schools, Tribal programs, healthcare partners, law enforcement, higher education, and community organizations, with a strong record of relationship building, follow-through, and independent problem-solving.
Overview
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Director | Generation Hózhó: Behavioral Health Career Pathways Initiative
CAPACITY BUILDERS, INC. (CBI)
02.2026 - Current
- Direct day-to-day implementation and operations of a federally funded career pathways initiative serving Native youth throughout San Juan and McKinley Counties.
- Supervise program staff and contractors; coordinate assignments, schedules, timelines, deliverables, performance expectations, and changing priorities.
- Manage budgets, expenditures, procurement, documentation, evaluation activities, reporting, grant requirements, and funder communications.
- Plan and coordinate meetings, trainings, community presentations, school-based activities, travel, outreach, and program logistics.
- Build and maintain partnerships with schools, Tribal programs, higher education institutions, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, cultural knowledge holders, contractors, and community organizations.
- Develop workflows for team communication, scheduling, documentation, project tracking, and accountability across office, remote, community, and field settings.
Project Coordinator | Developing Future Victim Advocates (DFVS) Program
CAPACITY BUILDERS, INC. (CBI)
01.2025 - 02.2026
- Coordinated grant-funded workforce development initiative, managing project scope, timelines, budgets, and documentation to achieve approved outcomes.
- Liaised among program leadership, Human Resources, Finance, colleges, partner organizations, interns, and community stakeholders to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
- Tracked program activities, partner services, and expenditures, compiling evaluation data and monthly progress reports to inform stakeholders.
- Supported student interns through onboarding, scheduling, training, certification activities, field experiences, educational resources, and ongoing performance support.
Project Manager | DISCOVERY Study
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUS – LEAD CENTER
07.2025 - 02.2026
- Managed daily operations of a community-based study serving Navajo youth and families, including staffing, scheduling, procurement, meetings, supplies, documentation, and site logistics.
- Supervised three staff members and coordinated workflow, training, performance expectations, quality assurance, and team communication.
- Served as liaison among university teams, healthcare providers, schools, Tribal partners, community organizations, participants, and families.
- Managed equipment and supply needs, vendor coordination, scheduling, and operational problem-solving while tracking program data for evaluation and reporting.
Navajo Youth Study Field Coordinator | DISCOVERY Study
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUS – LEAD CENTER
07.2023 - 07.2025
- Coordinated daily community and field operations, including scheduling, recruitment, outreach, data collection, documentation, timelines, and site activities.
- Supervised and supported research assistants, delegated outreach responsibilities, coordinated team activities, and assisted with staff training.
- Collaborated with Northern Navajo Medical Center, Indian Health Service providers, Navajo Nation entities, schools, families, and community stakeholders.
- Strengthened participant and community engagement through culturally responsive communication, local events, outreach, and relationship building.
Program Coordinator | Youth & Community Programming / RCORP Implementation
CAPACITY BUILDERS, INC. (CBI)
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Coordinated community-based youth development, substance-use prevention, family engagement, training sessions, coalition activities, and public health education initiatives to enhance community well-being.
- Implemented and coordinated the Four Corners Health Network consortium, connecting healthcare, law enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation programs, shelters, behavioral health organizations, and community partners.
- Collaborated with New Mexico State Police, county sheriff personnel, and Navajo Nation law enforcement to successfully launch the first 'One Pill Can Kill' campaign on Navajo Nation in Shiprock, raising awareness about substance abuse.
- Managed scheduling, attendance records, evaluations, program documentation, and reporting requirements to ensure effective delivery of culturally responsive community programming.
Education
Master of Public Health -
Grand Canyon University
01-2028
Bachelor’s Degree - Public Health
Fort Lewis College
01-2017
Associate - Social Science
Porterville Community College
01-2004
Project Management Prep (CAPM) -
San Juan College
NMSkills
- Community Engagement & Outreach
- Program & Project Operations
- Partnership Development
- Workshop, Training & Event Coordination
- Stakeholder Relations
- Staff Supervision & Training
- Scheduling & Logistics
- Budget & Expense Management
- Procurement & Inventory Coordination
- Grant Administration
- Data, Evaluation & Impact Reporting
- Workforce & Youth Development
- Community Resource Navigation
- Process Improvement
- Native Community Engagement
- Remote, Field & Multi-Site Coordination
- Virtual Meeting & Collaboration Platforms
- Digital Program & Research Documentation
- Data Collection & Reporting Systems
- Project Tracking
- Presentation Development
- Remote Team Collaboration
- Community-Facing Digital & Print Resources
Personal Information
Title: PROGRAM OPERATIONS | PROJECT MANAGEMENT | NATIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Certification
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor & Certified
- Narcan/Naloxone Instructor
- QPR Certified
- Selected Victim Assistance Training (VAT) Modules
Timeline
Project Director | Generation Hózhó: Behavioral Health Career Pathways Initiative
CAPACITY BUILDERS, INC. (CBI)
02.2026 - Current
Project Manager | DISCOVERY Study
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUS – LEAD CENTER
07.2025 - 02.2026
Project Coordinator | Developing Future Victim Advocates (DFVS) Program
CAPACITY BUILDERS, INC. (CBI)
01.2025 - 02.2026
Navajo Youth Study Field Coordinator | DISCOVERY Study
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUS – LEAD CENTER
07.2023 - 07.2025
Program Coordinator | Youth & Community Programming / RCORP Implementation
CAPACITY BUILDERS, INC. (CBI)
01.2017 - 01.2021
Master of Public Health -
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor’s Degree - Public Health
Fort Lewis College
Associate - Social Science
Porterville Community College
Project Management Prep (CAPM) -
San Juan College