Melissa Coleman

Melissa Coleman, the parent of two children at Atalaya Elementary school, and a local business owner, ran for Santa Fe School Board in 2011.  Although she ultimately came in second in a three-way race, she reports she had a great experience and learned a great deal for her next race.

Coleman has lived in Santa Fe for twelve years, and has been actively involved with her children’s education.  She has a child with special needs and has personal experience with advocating on behalf of her child to get the resources and Special Education services with the Santa Fe School District.

Coleman currently serves as Vice President of the Atalaya PTA, and serves on the newly formed group P.L.A.N.E., (Parents Legislative Action Network for Education), a group of highly energized parents who have organized to advocate on behalf of public schools to stop funding cuts to public education.

Coleman has been an active volunteer in the community with fundraising efforts at the Institute of American Indian Arts for the past four years, and served on the Buckaroo Ball for eight years.

Coleman owns, along with her husband, Scott, La Puerta Originals, Inc., a custom door and home furnishings manufacturer located in Santa Fe County.

Coleman formerly worked as the Campaign and Development Director for the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, and was Development Officer for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American Indian in New York City and Washington, D.C.