Meet OERJ’s New Deputy Director

The County’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice is excited to introduce its newest member to the team! Melissa Bartolome began her new role as the Office’s first Deputy Director, Departmental Operations, on Aug. 12.

Bartolome has 24 years’ experience with the County. Most recently, she worked at HHSA, where she led various finance and administration teams for Child Welfare Services, EOC Finance, and East and North Central Regions. Prior to HHSA, she worked at First 5 San Diego as a communications and community outreach coordinator and health projects coordinator where she managed multiple contracts providing services and supports to San Diego’s most vulnerable populations from newborn to 5 years old. And before First 5, she worked at the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

Bartolome was a diversity and inclusion champion where she served on the HHSA Transformation Team, developing and implementing strategies to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace and community. She also served as a member-at-large for the San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization where she co-chaired the annual CECO Breakfast Awards Committee and helped to plan many fundraising activities.

In addition, she holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University San Marcos. A native San Diegan and second-generation Filipino American, she enjoys the outdoors, travel, and spending time with her family.