Meet Meso Solutions’ new staff!
We’re excited to welcome a Vice President of Search, two Search Associates, and a Project Associate!
In addition to bringing new perspectives and lived experiences to the Meso Solutions team, they represent increased capacity so that we can help more organizations implement equitable hiring processes. Join us in welcoming Destinee, Molly, Nnedi, and Santos to the team!
Destinee Gomez-Fernando (She/Her/Hers)
Search Associate
Destinee joined Meso Solutions in June 2021 as a Search Associate. She moved through several roles in different industries, working with folks across the globe, and strengthening her skills in email and digital marketing and financial tech services all over the country. Destinee is a California native and Las Vegas local, who has always been passionate about progressive spaces and pushing the movement for BIPOC and marginalized communities. Her advocacy and passion stems from her experiences, and participation has always been important to her.
Destinee started volunteering in Nevada in 2019 with League of Conservation’s Chispa Nevada, Planned Parenthood Nevada, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, and many more. She organized in Nevada’s 2020 election cycle and loves organizing locally in the community she's a part of in Las Vegas. She helped organize for key legislation in Nevada's 81st legislative session and is an advocate for underserved communities.
Molly Salazar (She/Her/Hers)
Project Associate
Molly Salazar joined the Meso Solutions team in June 2021 as the first Project Associate. Graduating from San Diego State University with a B.A. in International Security and Conflict Resolutions and a specification in Global Justice. She had intended to join the international NGO sector. As time passed in her program from 2016 to 2018 she realized she wanted to remain in the U.S. and stay in community engagement through local intern and volunteer work striving for an equitable future for everyone.
After a career switch from a law firm to field organizing on a presidential campaign during the pandemic, Molly committed to a career in social change with impact values moving forward and is just getting started.
Nnedi Stephens (They, Them, Theirs/She, Her, Hers)
Vice-President of Search
Nnedi joined the Meso Solutions team as Vice President of Search in June 2021. With a background as an activist, a community organizer, and a public servant, they have organized marches, demonstrations, town halls, and candidate forums to foster conversations around equity and justice. They bring a wealth of experience in issue advocacy and coalition building, having worked with a number of progressive organizations to bring attention to a variety of causes ranging from the need for immigration reform to civic engagement to holding sacred women's right to bodily autonomy.
Most recently, Nnedi worked as a Regional Representative for a US Senator assisting hundreds of constituents looking to get engaged with the work that the government is doing on their behalf and advocating for them in cases where their concerns may have fallen through the cracks. As a caseworker with a specific focus on immigration and small business, she worked with those navigating our broken immigration system and small businesses struggling to get by as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nnedi understands that growth with an intersectional framework is so crucial to the work of expanding the progressive movement. Marginalized communities deserve equitable and inclusive access to opportunities for growth and she is devoted to doing everything in her power to fight the systems of oppression that aim to stifle these communities.
Santos M. Moreno (He/Him/His)
Search Associate
Santos M. Moreno joined Meso Solutions in June 2021 as a Search Associate. He is a lifelong Chicagoan and a proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools. Santos earned his B.A. in American Studies at The American University. Prior to joining Meso Solutions as a search associate, Santos had served as a field organizer/Latinx organizing coordinator for The Washington State Democrats (WA-03). He has also served as the National Student Organizing Coordinator for Our Revolution and served in the 2020 Democratic National Convention as a delegate for Senator Bernie Sanders.
Though most of Santos’ background is in electoral politics, the backbone of his work is rooted in the time he spent organizing with Increase The Peace Chicago.
Santos is an avid Chicago Bears fan and enjoys spending his downtime outdoors.