Our Experience Shapes Our Values

Melissa Blaustein is the Founder of Blue Stone Impact, where she advises individuals and families on values-driven strategy, cross-generational engagement, and long-term impact. Her career spans senior roles across government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector, giving her a rare, systems-level perspective on how change happens—and how it lasts. Melissa has worked at every level of governance, from the White House and the United Nations to San Francisco City Hall, and previously served as Mayor of Sausalito. These experiences inform her ability to guide clients through complexity with clarity, discretion, and confidence.

Melissa brings deep philanthropic expertise shaped by years of hands-on leadership. She has worked with Acumen, advised technology companies on impact strategy, and led philanthropic efforts for a private family foundation focused on social change. She is the founder of a nonprofit organization and has served on numerous nonprofit boards and advisory councils, including national environmental and community-based organizations. Across these roles, Melissa has overseen significant philanthropic portfolios, advised donors on strategic giving, and built governance structures that support long-term mission alignment. Her work consistently centers on helping values move from intention to action.

In addition to her professional experience, Melissa is currently completing advanced graduate studies in public policy and homeland security, reinforcing her analytical approach to risk, systems, and long-term planning. Earlier in her career, she worked as a sommelier and wrote for a music publication—experiences that continue to shape her appreciation for craft, culture, and storytelling. Outside of work, Melissa can often be found swimming in the San Francisco Bay along the Sausalito waterfront or from Alcatraz. She lives in Sausalito with her husband, Dave, and their chocolate Labrador, Bowie. These personal threads matter because they reflect the balance of discipline, curiosity, and joy she brings to her work.