Anna Melbin, Founder
I have worked in social service and nonprofit organizations for more than seventeen years. I have extensive experience working with and on behalf of homeless families and survivors of domestic and sexual assault, in direct services and policy settings. I am passionate about improving local and community response for these marginalized populations. I also have a long history working with nonprofit Boards, developing programming and policy, and am an invited speaker on expert panels and conferences across the country. My goal is to use my knowledge and experience to help organizations be the strongest they can be. To that end, I work with local service providers, state coalitions,  national advocacy groups, and policy developers towards social change.

Before founding Catalyst Consulting and Training, I was the Housing Director at the National Network to End Domestic Violence. In this position, I created and managed two national comprehensive technical assistance projects; providing training, site visits and policy development to over 200 grantee programs across the country. I promoted strong, sustainable programming utilizing my own original research and evidence-based practices. I was invited to present testimony to the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, and participated with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness’ Plan to End Homelessness.

I began my career providing direct services in homeless and battered women's shelters, and in long-term housing programs for families. I then broadened my experience to state-level and national work, including research, organizational development, and nonprofit management. I've served as Board Chair for the Maine Women's Lobby and Maine Women's Policy Center, and am principal author of “Transitional Supportive Housing Programs: Battered Women’s Perspectives and Recommendations”, published in Affilia, 2003. I hold a Masters Degree in Social Work and a Masters Degree in Public Policy from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Collaborators
Throughout my career I have had the honor of establishing a national network of committed, experienced professionals with a range of skills and knowledge. Through this network, Catalyst Consulting and Training can customize a team with the right expertise for each unique project.

At Catalyst Consulting and Training we tailor our services to your needs. We work with a range of organizations and programs, and specialize in helping domestic violence providers, homeless shelters, housing programs, and communities to develop survivor-driven programming through capacity building and development.