Melanie Soto is the State Director for The Arc of Arizona. Previously she held the role of Executive Director for Y.E.S. The Arc in Cottonwood Arizona. Her professional career in the disability community has spanned over 20 years. Dedication to this line of work was first inspired by her family members who were diagnosed with intellectual disability. Melanie currently serves on the National Council of Executives as the Regional Representative for the western portion of the United States through The Arc of the United States. Previous volunteerism includes The Arizona Trauma Intervention Program and serving on the Verde Valley Humane Society Board of Directors. She is a current member of the Arizona Disability Sexual Violence Network which works to educate individuals on the prevention of sexual violence against individuals with disabilities and ensure proper care and investigation is available through her work with the Grand Canyon Collaborative when someone with a disability is a victim of sexual violence.
The Arc of Arizona advocates for the rights and full community participation of all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Melanie and the network of members and affiliated chapters, work to improve systems of supports and services, connect families, inspire communication and influence public policy in Arizona and Federally.
