PROSSER, WA, August 18, 2023 - Melinda De Santo has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. De Santo is a local business owner and leader in her community dedicated to serving others. As a trained chef, she has owned Chef Melinda's Home Made LLC since 2016. Specializing in homemade granola, her products were sold in storefronts throughout Tacoma, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Tumwater, and Cashmere, Washington. Additionally, Ms. De Santo serves as the executive director at Historic Downtown Prosser in Prosser, Washington. Joining the nonprofit in 2022, she oversees events and activities such as the Prosser leadership classes and street clean-ups for the downtown area. Ms. De Santo is also actively engaged in developing strong partnerships with the City of Prosser, the Prosser Chamber of Commerce, the Prosser Thrive Coalition, and local contractors, and, among other goals, is involved in grant writing and business and occupation tax credits for necessary revitalization programs that directly affect the city's vitality and tourism.

Developing a passion for culinary arts, Ms. De Santo initially worked in hospitality and hotel management in 2015 as a chef and assistant innkeeper at Laurita Winery LLC in New Jersey. She subsequently served as a traveling innkeeper in New Jersey and Washington before joining the Harrison House Suites Bed & Breakfast, Tucker House Inn, in Friday Harbor, Washington. Continually progressing, Ms. De Santo was acquired by The Best Western Plus Travel Inn at Horse Haven in Prosser as the assistant general manager and director of sales and marketing and Holiday Inn Express in the U.S. as a general manager.

During an earlier stage of her career, Ms. De Santo was a drug and alcohol counselor who also garnered success in the restaurant and communications fields. Moreover, she enjoyed participating in the Seattle Warbirds, the state's first women's professional football team, through which she experienced an undefeated season in 2001.

Becoming a self-published author for the first time, Ms. De Santo released "From Hurt to Hope: My Journey Through Trials and Tribulations Under God's Protection" in 2023. The memoir was written over 10 years ago and aims to inspire young girls to believe in themselves and their dreams regardless of their backgrounds.

As a leader in her community, Ms. De Santo has been active as a member of Rotary International in Prosser. She also serves on the committee tasked with promoting the City of Prosser's designation as a creative district to help it become nationally known. Previously, Ms. De Santo volunteered at the Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center in Tacoma and tutored individuals with disabilities in Arizona to help them obtain their diplomas and college degrees.

A native of the area, Ms. De Santo earned a diploma from Henry Foss High School in Tacoma in 1993. As the first in her family to graduate from college, she received an associate degree in drug and alcohol counseling from Tacoma Community College in 2002, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in mass media communication from Evergreen State College in 2004. Additionally, Ms. De Santo graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu program at Western Culinary Institute.

Recognizing her accomplishments in mental health, Ms. De Santo was named as the Volunteer of the Year by the Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center in Tacoma.

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