Melissa Mace

Board Member

Melissa Mace is a North Carolina Army National Guard veteran, former military journalist, physical therapist, veteran advocate, and nonprofit board member committed to service and community involvement.

Melissa served 10 years in the North Carolina Army National Guard, primarily as a broadcast journalist producing professional-quality videos that helped units communicate their missions to the public. Her work included a video for the Counter Drug Task Force explaining how the National Guard could assist local law enforcement agencies. She was activated for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, serving as both a broadcast journalist and photojournalist in Southwest Asia.

Melissa holds a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy and practiced in a variety of clinical settings, with particular strengths in orthopedics and geriatrics.

Her community service includes serving on the nonprofit boards of Foothills Veterans Helping Veterans and Oxford Fire Department. She also serves on the Vetting Committee for Foothills Veterans Helping Veterans and is involved with Catawba County Veteran Treatment Court and Faith Comfort Dog through St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church.

Melissa brings to the WNC Grassroots Media Board experience in journalism and communications, healthcare, nonprofit leadership, and veteran advocacy. She believes local media plays an important role in connecting people, strengthening communities, and ensuring the stories and voices of Western North Carolina are heard.