Simone Melvin
Simone Melvin is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Capella University and a Sergeant in the United States Army Reserve, with nearly six years of military service. Her role in medical logistics and supply distribution has strengthened her operational leadership skills and reinforced the importance of continuity of care in high-demand environments. Progressing in rank from Specialist to Sergeant, Simone’s military experience has deepened her understanding of the unique mental health needs of service members, veterans, and their families.
Alongside her military service, Simone brings a diverse civilian background in healthcare, education, and community service. She previously worked as an Emergency Medical Technician with Community Bridges Incorporated and as an elementary school teacher on a Native American reservation, experiences that shaped her commitment to working with underserved populations. While continuing her service as a reservist, she has also balanced the responsibilities of being a stay-at-home mother, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and a strong dedication to family and service.
Simone’s academic and professional goals are rooted in early exposure to homelessness during her work in Alabama and at Community Bridges Incorporated. She is the founder of The Give Back Pact, a grassroots initiative focused on dignified outreach and essential resource distribution for individuals experiencing homelessness. Looking ahead, Simone plans to transition out of military service upon completion of her contract and establish an accessible mental health practice with minimal financial barriers. Her long-term vision includes opening a shelter for foster youth in the Phoenix area. Outside of her professional pursuits, she is an avid film enthusiast and enjoys writing fictional short stories, creative outlets that complement her passion for storytelling, empathy, and human connection.
• International Honor Society of Psychology
• Grand Canyon University - MSFP
• Member
Issued by National Society of Leadership and Success
• Hope Women's Center, Inc.
What do you attribute your success to?
Simone attributes her success to humility, resilience, and community support. She believes growth comes from serving others, learning from adversity, and remaining grounded whether in uniform, in the classroom, or while volunteering with those most often overlooked.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To stay grounded and remember who you’re serving. Simone learned early that titles and positions matter far less than character, compassion, and consistency especially when working with vulnerable populations.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Develop thick skin and resilience. Simone encourages young women to see themselves as forces of nature strong, adaptable, and unbreakable. She reminds them that their voices matter, even when they’re not always acknowledged, and that perseverance is a form of power.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is toxic leadership and the lack of humility in service-driven professions. However, Simone sees tremendous opportunity for women particularly Black women to reshape leadership, bring empathy into systems that lack it, and create community-centered solutions in psychology, social services, and advocacy.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Humility, service, integrity, and community. Simone is deeply driven by the belief that leadership means lifting others, especially those without a voice, and that real impact happens when people support one another without ego or expectation.