Merlot Ghadoushi
NAMI West Los Angeles
6
years of professional experience
1
Certification
2
Languages
Customer service professional with experience creating welcoming experiences in healthcare, retail, and community settings. Known for building genuine relationships, staying calm under pressure, and finding thoughtful solutions that leave people feeling heard, supported, and valued.
Work History
National Advisor & Speaker
7 Months- Represented young adults on NAMI's National Next Gen Advisory Council through national speaking engagements, policy discussions, and mental health advocacy.
- Created educational materials to enhance mental health awareness and advocacy efforts.
- Facilitated workshops to foster community engagement and increase understanding of mental health issues.
- Guided individuals in navigating mental health resources and accessing support services.
Member (Youngest Member Selected to Serve)
8 Months- Selected as the youngest member of UCLA's Patient & Family Advisory Council, representing the patient perspective in meetings with hospital leadership.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, social workers, and administrators to improve communication, directly enhancing patient and family experience.
- Developed Cultural Inclusion Program to create welcoming, inclusive care for children, adolescents, and families.
Patient & Family Speaker
10 Months- Built trust with patients and families through one-on-one meetings, fostering empathy and cultural understanding.
- Provided recommendations to enhance relationships among patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- Presented insights to physicians, nurses, social workers, hospital leadership, investors, and care teams to improve patient-centered care based on lived experience.
Program & Outreach Intern
1 Year 7 Months- Coordinated community events, conferences, and outreach initiatives, establishing partnerships with local businesses to enhance community engagement.
- Led West Los Angeles intern team in coordinating community presentations and outreach projects, fostering local partnerships to increase program visibility.
- Developed children's book to simplify mental health education for young audiences, promoting awareness and understanding of mental health issues.
Customer Service & Operations Assistant
5 Years 2 Months- Coordinated customer orders from fulfillment to delivery, ensuring clear communication and timely product assembly and shipping.
- Cultivated strong customer relationships through attentive listening and effective problem-solving for product, shipping, and order issues, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Resolved urgent fulfillment challenge for large school district by identifying alternative product configuration, facilitating on-time shipment.
Retail Associate
4 Months- Assisted customers in selecting personalized products, enhancing sales and ensuring seamless product assembly while maintaining daily store operations.
- Operated point-of-sale system for processing transactions.
- Maintained cleanliness and organized merchandise displays to create an inviting shopping environment.
- Created welcoming experiences for children and families by actively listening, connecting, and ensuring enjoyable visits.
Education
B.A. - Psychology & Interdisciplinary Studies Field (ISF)
Expected in 05/2028
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts - Social & Behavioral Sciences
- Dean's List
- High Honors
Skills
Mental health support
Patient Engagement
Program Development
Workshop Facilitation
Community outreach
Advocacy Presentations
Customer engagement
Strategic Planning
Microsoft Office
Google Workspace
Team collaboration
Relationship Building
Accomplishments
- 2024 - Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
- President's Volunteer Service Award – Gold (4-time recipient)
- National Next Gen Advisory Council Member, NAMI
Certification
- CPR Certified
- Stop the Bleed Certified
- Seizure First Aid Certified
Websites, Portfolios, Profiles
LinkedIn
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
National Advisor & Speaker
NAMI National
01.2026 - CurrentRead More
Member (Youngest Member Selected to Serve)
UCLA Patient & Family Advisory Council
12.2025 - CurrentRead More
Patient & Family Speaker
UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital
10.2025 - CurrentRead More
Program & Outreach Intern
NAMI West Los Angeles
01.2025 - CurrentRead More
Retail Associate
Lume Duty
12.2024 - 04.2025Read More
Customer Service & Operations Assistant
Roostor & Uniteck USA
05.2020 - 07.2025Read More
Santa Monica College
Associate of Arts from Liberal Arts - Social & Behavioral Sciences
Read More
University of California, Berkeley
B.A. from Psychology & Interdisciplinary Studies Field (ISF)
Read More