Meet Melissa
Melissa Stek, MSW
(she/her)
Melissa founded MountainGem Advocacy in 2021 as an advocacy communications consulting firm.
With experience as a social worker, organizer, researcher, educator, legislative aide, lobbyist, and communications specialist, Melissa brings a robust set of skills, wisdom, and experience to her consulting practice. She is thoughtful and effective in advancing equity, social impact, and systemic change through strong interpersonal skills, policy advocacy, political strategy, strategic communications, media relations, coalition building, and project management.
With a background working with advocacy organizations, social service non-profits, campaigns, and coalitions, Melissa has built strong networks and understands the values and priorities that resonate most with a variety of audiences. She knows the inner workings of Congress, the legislative process, and the complexities of immigration policy from her previous work as a legislative staffer to former Representative Luis Gutiérrez, (IL-04) in Washington, DC and subsequent immigration policy advocacy work.
Melissa has worked closely with reporters across diverse news beats to uplift her clients’ critical justice initiatives. In her advocacy communications, Melissa has made it a priority to center the voices and experiences of those directly impacted by the issues.
Melissa’s communications work has been called “thoughtful,” “poignant,” and “impactful.” It has appeared in the Washington Post, New York Times, CQ Roll Call, La Opinión, Daily Kos, Religion News Service, Black Star News, An Injustice! Magazine, and many other outlets. She has partnered with Masa Group for operations and business development support.
The great-granddaughter of immigrants, Melissa is passionate about immigrant rights, racial justice, mental health, and gender equity. She is committed to the lifelong practice of applying a trauma-informed and antiracist lens to her personal and professional endeavors—aware of the privileges, identities, and positionality she carries and brings to her work.
In her free time, Melissa loves practicing yoga, playing piano, singing Alto II in her choral group, going for walks, swimming in Lake Michigan, building community across differences, and gathering with friends and family.
