Melinda Giovengo, Ph.D.

Psychologist, Advocate, and Expert in Youth Homelessness and  Sexual Exploitation of Youth and Young Adults.

Dr. Melinda Giovengo is a psychologist, researcher, and advocate with over 35 years of experience dedicated to addressing youth homelessness, sexual exploitation, and mental health. Her work focuses on creating systemic change to improve the well-being of vulnerable youth, particularly those impacted by trauma and societal challenges such as homelessness and sexual exploitation.

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Dr. Giovengo earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Washington], where she developed a specialization in trauma-informed care and the psychological impacts of homelessness and sexual exploitation. Over the course of her career, Dr. Giovengo has been a driving force behind programs that support youth in crisis, providing a holistic approach to healing that addresses both immediate needs and long-term outcomes.

From 2006 to 2021, Dr. Giovengo served as CEO at YouthCare, a nonprofit organization in Seattle that supports homeless youth and sexually exploited young people. In this role, she led efforts to design and implement trauma-informed programs that provided shelter, mental health services, and case management for homeless and exploited youth. Her work at YouthCare helped shape new models of care, particularly for youth fleeing sexual exploitation and trafficking. During her tenure she help found Stolen Youth a community organization focused on supporting the needs of sexually exploited youth in the Seattle area and was chair of the Bridge Collaborative focused on creating a regional response to exploitation with in the King County region.

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Dr. Giovengo is also deeply involved in national advocacy. She serves on the National Network for Youth (NN4Y), an organization that works to improve the lives of runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth across the United States. Through NN4Y, Dr. Giovengo has worked to advance policies and practices that ensure homeless youth and those who have experienced exploitation have access to essential resources such as housing, education, and healthcare.

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In addition, Dr. Giovengo serves on the Just National Advisory Council for Shared Hope International, an organization dedicated to ending child sex trafficking and exploitation. As a member of the council, she collaborates with experts and advocates nationwide to guide policies and practices that prevent sex trafficking, support survivors, and create safer communities for young people. Her participation in this advisory body underscores her ongoing commitment to national efforts aimed at combating exploitation and advancing justice for vulnerable youth.

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In her current role as Chief Program Officer at Victory Programs , Dr. Giovengo continues to lead initiatives that address the root causes of youth homelessness and exploitation. She works closely with government agencies, nonprofits, and community leaders to implement evidence-based solutions and advocate for policies that improve the safety, well-being, and opportunities for at-risk communites. While at Victory Programs Dr.Giovengo completed a fellowship at Harvard University focused on replicating the Stolen Youth and Bridge Collaborative model of services and fundraising for exploited youth in the Boston area. 

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Dr. Giovengo is also a passionate speaker and consultant, regularly working with organizations and policymakers to influence change at both the state and national levels. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to social justice, mental health, and ensuring that all young people, regardless of their circumstances, have the support they need to build a successful future.