Councilmember and Former Mayor Melissa Ramoso is a proud daughter of Filipino American veterans and former union public servants. A lifelong advocate for community and equity, she brings over 22 years of experience in government and public service.
Melissa currently serves as District Director for California State Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, 66th District where she first began as an intern in 2003. Previously, she served as Senior Adviser to U.S. Congressman Ted Lieu for nearly a decade, assisting veterans, families, and immigrant communities, with her work featured in the Los Angeles Times.
Elected to the Artesia City Council in 2018, Melissa became the city’s first Filipina and Asian American woman to serve and was selected by her peers as Mayor in 2021. During her tenure, she led key initiatives to protect residents and businesses during the pandemic, advanced anti-hate resolutions, and championed environmental and public safety measures, including Artesia’s first catalytic converter theft prevention ordinance. She also currently serves as Vice President of the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District Board of Trustees.
Nationally, Melissa is a recognized trailblazer in Filipino American leadership and Democratic Party politics, having served in the California Democratic Party and as a delegate to four Democratic National Conventions and as National Co-Chair for the Filipino American community for the last three Presidential Democratic Nominees. During the 2020 Presidential Transition, Melissa was appointed to President Biden’s 21st Century Government Policy Committee. The Filipina Women’s Network, the Philippine American Bar Association, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the City of Los Angeles among others have honored her leadership.
A Richard Gahr High School alumna, graduate of UC Irvine with a B.A. in Political Science and proud foodie, Melissa is deeply proud to serve the people of Artesia, the city she calls home.