Melanie Scarlet, MPA, LCSW, Realtor
Melanie Scarlet, MPA, LCSW, is a dedicated professional whose career reflects a deep commitment to both community impact and entrepreneurial growth. Now a Realtor and real estate investor with RSI Real Estate Company in Salt Lake City, she specializes in transforming properties into opportunities, with a focus on distressed properties, home renovations, and helping individuals navigate challenging housing situations. Known for her integrity, persistence, and results-driven mindset, Melanie has quickly established herself in the real estate space, successfully working with buyers and sellers while launching her first house-flipping projects.
Prior to transitioning into real estate, Melanie built an extensive career in victim services spanning more than a decade. Beginning in 2008, she served in a variety of impactful roles, including working in domestic violence shelters, providing therapy to at-risk youth, and supporting families through the Department of Child and Family Services. She later advanced to leadership positions, including Assistant Director at the Utah Office for Victims of Crime and Victim Services Grant Administrator at the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office. In these roles, she not only supported individuals directly but also contributed to statewide policy and legislative initiatives that improved outcomes for victims across Utah.
Melanie’s academic background further strengthens her multidisciplinary approach to her work. She holds both a Master of Social Work and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah, equipping her with expertise in both human services and systems-level change. Her transition into real estate represents a purposeful shift—leveraging her problem-solving skills and desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives in a new way. In addition to her professional pursuits, she remains engaged in her community, including serving as a board member for the Amethyst Center for Healing. Across every chapter of her career, Melanie is driven by a commitment to meaningful impact, whether through advocacy, policy, or helping individuals find stability and opportunity through real estate.
• Licensed Real Estate Agent
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (implied by MSW and therapy work)
• University of Utah- M.P.A.
• University of Utah- M.S.W.
• Weber State University- B.S.W.
• Amethyst Center for Healing
• Utah Office for Victims of Crime
What do you attribute your success to?
I don't think my success is tied to any specific agency or job. I feel like my most notable achievement is being able to have an impact in people's lives that are going through something hard, and helping them see that there's light at the end. Whether it was with the boys that I worked with, seeing successes to where they didn't recidivate, or other victims that I worked with, having them get back to their life after that traumatic event. It's not about a specific role as much as it is about impacting people. I've also been able to make a big impact through legislation and policy work when I was the Assistant Director at the Utah Office for Victims of Crime. I got to work on legislation and policy that had positive statewide impacts that could help a lot of victims. Those would be my top achievements, the direct impact on individuals and the broader policy work that helps many people.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from when I was probably around 20 years old, working as an administrative assistant for a builder. He told me that the follow-through is more important than the assignment. That really stuck with me, and I think it's helped me throughout my entire career because I would accomplish quite a bit at my work, wherever I worked. It's something I've used my whole career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think it's important for young women to pursue things that they're passionate about, or that make them happy. And don't let people telling them no stop them. No isn't always no. I experienced this myself when I got a denial letter from the University of Utah for my master's in social work. I had excellent references and excellent grades, so I knew something wasn't right. I made an appointment with the dean of the school the day after I got the letter and just asked him why I was denied. He looked through my packet and said he didn't know why I was denied, that it was a mistake, and he put me first on the waitlist, which was basically a guarantee. So no isn't always no. There could be a mistake, or there could be another way forward.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the most important value to me, and really honesty too, they kind of go hand in hand. Especially when it's hard, you know what I mean? I even had a sign made just as a reminder to hold to your integrity, even when times are tough. I think that really shows people's character.