Resume

Melissa
Renau

Participatory Research

UX Research

Service Design

Human-centered design

Policy Design

Nonprofits & Social Impact

Enter subtitle

I’m an explorer, dot connector, and systems thinker with a knack for diving into complex challenges and finding practical solutions that make a difference.

My superpower is uncovering the “whys” behind problems and using those insights to drive change.

Contact me

About Me

My story

I’m Melissa Renau-Cano, a participatory action researcher, strategist, and systems thinker committed to driving meaningful change in today’s complex world. With a PhD in Internet Studies and a background in civic tech, public policy, and social innovation, I focus on helping organizations build resilience and navigate crises by designing adaptive, people-centered solutions.

In times of uncertainty and crisis, I work with nonprofits, government agencies, and social impact organizations to rethink and reimagine programs and services that meet the evolving needs of communities. My services include user and stakeholder research, grant writing, program evaluation, facilitation, and policy design.

By integrating research-driven insights with innovative strategies, I help organizations adapt to constrained resources, optimize service delivery, and secure funding to drive impactful change. My work is focused on resilience and long-term sustainability—empowering organizations to not only survive but thrive, even in the face of adversity.

Together, we can build systems that prioritize human needs and create lasting, positive change in communities. When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me traveling, engaging in deep conversations, or trying new hobbies. Right now, I’m having fun teaching my pup to speak!

Services

How I Can Help
Participatory Research

Informing programs and policies by centering the voices of impacted communities.

Program Evaluation

Conducting program evaluations not just to measure impact, but to recommend change and spark innovation.

User Research & Service Design

Improving digital experiences through user research and service design.

Facilitation & Co-Creation

Facilitating co-creation processes that help organizations adapt services to constrained resources.

Proposal Design & Grant Writing

From concept to submission. I design grant proposals from the ground up.

Cross-Sector Collaboration

Creating and supporting events that build connections and drive impact.

Portfolio

Latest works

Contact me

I am always eager to meet new people. Feel free to reach out!