Walker’s Point Center for the Arts (WPCA) named Ana Melo as its new executive director. Melo, who started the position on Aug. 10, grew up in the Walker’s Point neighborhood and has strong ties to the community. She is a bilingual community leader with a history in the arts, youth programming and nonprofit sustainability.

Melo received a master’s of education in teaching, learning and leadership from Cardinal Stritch University and holds an undergraduate degree in interior design and fine arts from Mount Mary University. She is currently enrolled in the non-profit leadership & management certificate program at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Melo is also a graduate of the Latino non-profit leadership program, Class IX.

Prior to becoming the executive director of WPCA, Melo served as the executive director of John XXIII Educational Center in Racine. Her previous work includes teaching at Milwaukee Area Technical College and Journey House Family Learning Center. Additionally, Melo served as past president of the LULAC Latinas Council #330, the director of communications for the Milwaukee Latino Carnival and as co-chair for the 2014 PALM (Promoting Academics for Latino Milwaukee) Committee.

"I’m honored to serve such a prestigious organization and a community near and dear to my heart," said Melo. "My vision is to continue to build upon the strong presence of the organization and to create new partnerships that align with our mission in bringing arts to youth, families and artists in the neighborhood of Walker’s Point and throughout the City of Milwaukee."

Her immediate goals include increasing the organization’s visibility, affirming and expanding partnerships, and organizing fundraising and community engaging events. She also plans to increase staffing capabilities and expand sources of funding, including individual donors and corporate partnerships, to further enhance programming.