Fabiana Meléndez Ruiz is a Venezuelan-American communications strategist, storyteller, and co-founder & CEO of Refuerzo Collaborative, a Latina-owned agency nurturing stories that reinforce community. With experience spanning top agencies, in-house leadership, and her own firm, she has landed clients in USA Today, Forbes, Business Insider, Architectural Digest, and Fast Company, led campaigns that earned industry awards, and grown media impressions by 197 million in under a year. A 2026 Austin Under 40 finalist, multi-year Austin Woman Changemaker, and Top Woman in Communications Rising Star, Fabiana also serves on multiple civic and nonprofit boards and is deeply committed to mentorship, ethical leadership, and amplifying underrepresented voices.