Meet

melissa

A woman smiling and posing outdoors, wearing a beige blazer and gold jewelry, surrounded by large rocks in a park-like setting.

A different kind of government requires
a different kind of leadership

Melissa is the CEO and entrepreneurial force behind Brewpoint Coffee in Elmhurst, Illinois. In 2014, Melissa purchased a bare-bones neighborhood coffee shop that she transformed into a thriving coffee enterprise with three cafes, a roastery, retail and wholesale products, and bustling community spaces that employ over 30 employees. Melissa has been highlighted in Entrepreneur Magazine and Brewpoint has been awarded the title of being an INC 5000 business (one of America’s fastest growing small businesses in 2024).

Melissa’s successful small-business experience will bring a unique skill-set to the County Board. Brewpoint has survived and grown through economic peaks and valleys, including a pandemic. She has a proven ability to balance fiscal discipline with compassionate leadership, making smart, accountable decisions that strengthen partnerships and deliver results for the community.

A woman smiling and waving, wearing a navy blue campaign shirt that says 'Villanueva for DuPage County Board,' with sunglasses on her head, a red bandana, and bracelets, outdoors on a sunny day with other people blurred in the background.

Community Partner

For years, Melissa has been invested in the economic development  of DuPage County. She has been a member of Innovation DuPage (ID) since 2022, a nonprofit that connects small business owners and start-ups with resources throughout the county. In 2024, Melissa was named ID’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence, where she directly mentored aspiring and current DuPage business owners.  

Since 2017, Melissa has also served as a Commissioner on the Elmhurst Economic Development Commission, connecting new business owners with resources and support within the Elmhurst community. She’s also spearheaded the yearly Makers & Shakers initiative, drawing hundreds of business owners from across DuPage and surrounding areas to one of the largest entrepreneur events in the region.

Through the Brewpoint platform, Melissa has also partnered with community organizations and other local businesses to help the most vulnerable in our communities. Together they’ve raised funds, created networks of support, and connected residents to resources across the county.

Education

Melissa holds a B.A in Philosophy/Anthropology and a minor in Theology from Wheaton College. She lives in Elmhurst with her husband Angelo and dog Kogi.

Three people are engaged in a lively conversation outdoors, smiling and gesturing. The woman in the middle is wearing sunglasses, a red headband, and a blue T-shirt, while the woman on the right is dressed in a pink sweater and dark jeans. The man on the left is wearing a vest over a light blue shirt. They are at an outdoor event or gathering with other people and structures in the background.
Group of people wearing green hats celebrating March 17th in a neighborhood street, holding a banner that reads 'Melissa Villanueva for DuPage County Board,' with leaf-shaped hats and festive accessories.
A woman is speaking into a microphone at a political rally or event, smiling to the audience. The audience is seated and clapping. There are campaign signs with the name Melissa Villanueva and references to DuPage County Board.

Patti Vasquez (from the Patti Vasquez show) interviews Melissa Villanueva who is running for the DuPage County Board. Patti asks Melissa personal and campaign questions as she eats increasingly spicier and spicier wings.

Special thanks to Dan Good Photography .
Ninneth from 7 Wings.
Patti Vasquez from the Patti Vasquez Show.

Interviews