Melanie Fernandez has over 25 years of leadership experience in the arts and cultural sectors with a focus on exploring innovative frameworks for producing and learning through community-engaged intersectional practices. Her work is rooted in inclusionary platforms that ensure postcolonial representation of racialized and Indigenous stories.

Leadership positions include; Interim Executive Director, Woodland Cultural Centre, Director Cultural Engagement & Activation Department and Artistic Producer at Harbourfront Centre; Community Arts Officer (as well as Acting Visual Arts Officer) at the Ontario Arts Council where she led a comprehensive policy review of community arts in the province that resulted in new definitions, directions and programs and Head of Education at the Art Gallery of Ontario Currently, Melanie teaches in the Arts Management Programme and is the Coordinator of the Arts Education & Community Engagement at Centennial College and consults.

Clients have included: Mural Routes, Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, Ukrainian Culture Festival, Living Art Centre in Mississauga; Lifeline Syria, the Woodland Cultural Centre, and others. Melanie specializes in community engagement, outreach, and program planning, strategic planning, and implementation of diversity, equity, and anti-racism frameworks. Melanie has published widely and has participated in numerous local and national Boards and Advisory Committees.