Melissa Vine
Executive director
Beacon of Life
Age: 39
Children: Sam (16), Jack (14), Max (12), Frank (10)
Mentor: Julie Fugenschuh, executive director, Project Iowa
Why she’s a Forty:
She serves as the executive director at Beacon of Life, a nonprofit for women coming out of incarceration, homelessness, domestic violence or other trauma. She spoke at the Business Record's Fearless launch about her journey out of domestic violence. She serves as an ambassador for the Downtown Chamber of Commerce, on the ACES Steering Committee, and volunteers with Des Moines Public Schools and local pursuits of justice. She started and sold two businesses and works with organizations to address psychological dynamics through melissavine.com.
What are your goals in your role at your company?
Upon completion of our organizational strategic plan last fall, I am working to fulfill its imperatives by filtering our interactions, policies, and staff training through the lens of evidence-based, trauma-informed, equity-centered care. As we become more intentional in our mission and strategy, we are also exploring growth opportunities and looking for partners to come alongside us in that work.
What are your goals for your community involvement?
As an ambassador for the Downtown Chamber of Commerce, I hope to facilitate a welcoming environment for organizations and individuals looking to network and feel connected to the dynamic Des Moines community.
What's your biggest passion, and why?
As a mental health professional, the first word that comes to mind is empathy. But as a wise woman once corrected me, empathy only goes so far without knowledge. Perhaps the combination of the two is equity, which requires knowledge of what constitutes equity and the compassionate perspective-taking (empathy) to move in that direction.
What is it that drives you?
I can imagine a world in which folks do not leverage power to oppress others but rather to empower them. I can imagine a world in which everyone has easy access to a warm home, healthy food, quality education, equitable health care and support systems that provide healing rather than punishment for those who are struggling with life’s demands.
What are your future aspirations?
I want the community to know about the incredible work that is happening at the Beacon of Life, and I would love to get connected with individuals and organizations that want to learn more. We provide trauma-informed, equity-centered housing and programming for women coming out of crisis that addresses mental health, substance use, physical health, financial education, career development and healthy relationships.
Three hobbies: Performing and attending theater, sand volleyball, and rocking my fanny pack at Walt Disney World.
Fun Fact: She can ruin your favorite song at karaoke night with her operatic vibrato.
ONE word: Exuberant.
What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community?
I wish to partner with more businesses in order to end homelessness for the women of Central Iowa.
Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you?
I live by the filter test. Question one: Is it good? (I can answer “yes” to a lot of things here!) Question two: Is it best? This is where most things do not make the cut. Our time, our money and our energy are all limited. Make it count.