Citizens Inn announced that Melissa González has been selected as the new Executive Director of the organization, effective Nov. 25. González is an experienced nonprofit leader and strategist with over two decades of experience driving social impact and nonprofit sustainability. A dedicated advocate for social justice and organizational growth, González’s career reflects her deep commitment to transformative change.
González joined the Citizens Inn team as the Deputy Executive Director in September of 2023 and has served as its Interim Executive Director since July of this year. Martha Holden, President of the Board of Directors, stated, “Melissa’s professional background and successful leadership during her time in the interim role have demonstrated to the Citizens Inn Board that she is ideally qualified to serve in this position.”
Prior to Citizens Inn, González served in several high-impact roles at organizations such as Everyday Boston, Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), Revjen, and Cove Strategy. As a Pro Bono Program Officer at GBLS, she pioneered the organization’s inaugural pro bono program, connecting private attorneys with underserved communities. Her work in nonprofit sustainability as Director of Research and Product Development at Revjen focused on sustainable revenue models for mission-driven organizations. She has also worked as a consultant for a range of social sector organizations, including nascent nonprofits, organizations with a national footprint, and international work with clients such as the World Bank and UNICEF.
“We believe that Melissa’s leadership skills will enable her to work closely with the Citizens Inn team to successfully guide the organization over the coming years,” said Holden. “We are confident that under her leadership, Citizens Inn will continue provide optimal service to the people who are most vulnerable in our community.”
Originally from Costa Rica, González is bilingual in English and Spanish and has a working knowledge of French and Swahili. González holds a PhD in economics from the University of California and a bachelor of arts degree in economics and international studies from Brandeis University.
Founded in 1983, Citizens Inn addresses the interdependent and complex factors leading to homelessness and food insecurity on the North Shore. With a mission to break the patterns of instability that lead to homelessness and hunger for every family and individual served, Citizens Inn’s programs are designed to help families and individuals prepare for and transition to a sustainable life with the goal to empower all served to find permanent solutions to break the patterns of instability in their lives.
