The California Apartment Association has welcomed a new member to its public affairs team in Southern California.
On Monday, Melanie Woods took the helm as CAA’s vice president of local public affairs for the San Diego region.
In her previous job, Woods served as director of workforce programs at the San Diego Workforce Partnership, led a four-person team and managed Construction Career Jumpstart, a four-week training program to help participants begin careers in construction. She also led the Apprenticeship Readiness Program.
Prior to joining the Workforce Partnership, Woods served as a housing and land use adviser to three San Diego County supervisors, leading efforts on issues such as housing, transportation, homelessness, water and economic development.
Her land-use background also includes time at Southwest Strategies, San Diego’s largest public affairs firm, and collective impact think-tank LeSar Development Consultants.
“Several San Diego political insiders describe Woods as a consensus builder, a strategic thinker, and someone who can be both diplomatic and aggressive in the same meeting and leave that room more respected than when she walked in,” said Joshua Howard, CAA’s executive vice president of local public affairs.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science and a master’s degree in public administration, both from San Diego State University.
