Melody Martínez, CVT
Founder & Principal Consultant
she/her/ella
Melody is an experienced consultant, trainer, coach, speaker, and donor organizer who knows that justice is within reach. Building off her nearly two decade long career in veterinary medicine and in the social justice nonprofit and philanthropy sectors, she understands the complex challenges mission-driven organizations and individuals face and the urgent need for equitable, inclusive, and transformative solutions. Leading with an analytical and compassionate approach, she supports clients in becoming more connected, making meaningful culture shifts, and leading with integrity.
Melody Martínez is the founder and principal at Acorde Consulting. She is an experienced consultant, trainer, coach, speaker, and donor organizer. She has over a decade of experience supporting small and large organizations in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors in making powerful organizational changes.
Born in Massachusetts and currently based in Portland, Oregon, Melody is the proud first generation daughter of Afro-Caribbean, working-class immigrants from the Dominican Republic. She is bicultural and bilingual.
In roles at Social Justice Fund and the New Economy Coalition, Melody organized and trained community members to understand their power and privilege, fundraise hundreds of thousands of dollars for social change, and participate across differences in collaborative, democratic decision-making.
Using lessons gained from her lived experience, via consulting practice, and in collaboration with various consulting firms like Resolutions Northwest, Class Action, and Harmonize, Melody has supported dozens of mission-driven organizations in cultural transformation and resilience. Her approach to facilitation, coaching, and speaking is compassionate, candid, and outcomes-focused. She is deeply analytical and precise, particularly when helping leaders and groups unearth inequities and design policies and practices that operationalize racial, economic, and disability justice in the workplace. Melody is fiercely dedicated to amplifying the voices and celebrating the strengths of people of color and all those who are furthest from justice. As a result of her support, many of her clients have made meaningful culture shifts and have become more values-aligned.
Melody is also a Certified Veterinary Technician with over a decade of experience in small and large animal veterinary medicine. In addition to working in small animal general practice and emergency and critical care, she worked as a Senior Animal Caregiver at Farm Sanctuary, overseeing the ongoing medical care of 800 rescued farmed animal residents at their New York shelter. Melody continues work in veterinary medicine as a relief technician and as a volunteer at animal sanctuaries and organizations that increase access to veterinary care for communities experiencing poverty. She frequently speaks to classrooms and mentors K-12 students interested in careers working with animals. She proudly serves on the board of the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA) and is committed to ensuring the veterinary industry is racially equitable, supportive, and ready for the powerful leadership of a new generation of veterinary professionals. In 2023, she was named one of American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) “15 Women to Watch.”
Professional Affiliations
Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association
President
Portland Veterinary Medical Association
OVTAA Member
Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association
Member
Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association
Certified Veterinary Technician, Member
Freelancers Union
Member
Certifications
Equity-informed Mediation
Resolutions Northwest
Human Resource Management
Portland State University Center for Executive and Professional Education
Applied Animal Behavior
University of Washington
Speaking & Publications
2024
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, Part I, An Issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 1st Edition (Elsevier)
Understanding the Why: The Need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine
AAHA Con
Your Role in Creating and Inclusive Veterinary Practice
That’s So Awful: Supporting Your Team When The News Sucks
Culture Shock: Looking Under the Microscope for Equity and Inclusion
Addressing Micro and Macroaggressions in the Workplace
AVMA Convention
Rethinking Your Vet Tech Career
Culturally Responsive End-of-Life Care
Intentionally Creating an Inclusive Learning Culture in Veterinary Practice
Microagressions and Their Impact on Health and Wellbeing
2023
AAHA Trends Magazine June 2023 Issue “Rethinking Recruitment”
Switch Up Your Strategies to Be More Inclusive
AVMA Convention
The Practice Manager’s Guide to Hiring for Equity & Inclusion
Mastering Cross-Cultural Communication in Veterinary Medicine
From Rules to Relationships: How to Create an Inclusive Work Culture with Equitable Management Practices
Great Lakes Veterinary Conference
AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference
Inclusive Leadership for Your Organization and Workplace
VMX
Mastering Cross-Cultural Communication in Veterinary Medicine
Designing for Equity to Support Systemic Change
Panelist: Progress Over Perfection: What Life and Leadership Teaches Us About Professional Growth
Western Veterinary Conference
Culturally Responsive Care in Veterinary Medicine
Inclusive Leadership in Veterinary Medicine
2022
Willamette Valley Development Officers (WVDO) Conference - Philanthropy for the People: Bridging Justice
Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself: Are You Ready to Take An Honest Look at Your Program’s Outcomes?
Power = Process: Supporting Racial Justice with Decision Making Process
MCVMA Annual Conference - RISE
Conflict as a Catalyst for Change
How to Make Your Veterinary Event More Inclusive
Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference
From Rules to Relationships: How to Create an Inclusive Work Culture with Equitable Management Practices
Mastering Cross-cultural Communication in Veterinary Medicine
AVMA Convention
Taking Actionable Steps Toward Creating a Culture of Equity and Inclusion In Your Veterinary Clinic
NextGenDVM: Mentoring and Teaching Tips for the Practice Setting
Connecting Through Conflict: Conflict as a Catalyst for Change
Scrub Chat Podcast - “A Pivot is a Break Not a Divorce” (July 18, 2022)
2021
MCVMA Annual Conference - RISE
Implications of the Racial Wealth Gap on Veterinary Medicine, Trending Solutions, and Possibilities
Moderator: Lessons Learned in Leading Vet Med Affinity Organizations in 2020
New York State Veterinary Conference
Panelist: Professional Barriers and How Persons Historically Underrepresented and Marginalized in the Veterinary Profession Overcame Them
Western Veterinary Conference
Discrimination in Veterinary Medicine: A Video Breakdown
Taking Action: Strengthening Your DEI Toolkit
Vet Tech Cafe Podcast - Melody Martinez Episode (June 27, 2021)
2019
Better Eating International Gala
Emcee