Drisha Melton is a Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst V at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), serving in the External Affairs Division with a focus on Supplier Diversity and Regulatory Policy. Her path to public service is a testament to faith, perseverance, and the transformative power of community.

Born in Meridian, Mississippi, Drisha was raised by a young, single mother who, at just 18 years old, made a courageous decision to seek a better life. With only $115 and a five-month-old baby in tow, she and her best friend boarded a Greyhound bus bound for California. They arrived with nowhere to stay and little to eat. On the second or third day, desperate and hungry, Drisha’s mother walked into a Santa Monica supermarket and began eating grapes. In that moment, a stranger approached her and asked if she was hungry, and he would be happy to get her something to eat. Her mother explained their situation and her need to find work. That stranger connected her to a social worker and an employment office. Within a week, she had a job and a place to live. Drisha’s mother always believed that man was an “angel” sent by God.

Faith has been the cornerstone of Drisha’s life ever since. Her mother worked tirelessly—first at GTE and Verizon for over 20 years, then at the Department of Corrections—instilling in Drisha a deep respect for hard work and integrity. Drisha grew up in Bloomington, California, and graduated from Bloomington High School. Drisha is an active member of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino.

Her family expanded when her mother remarried, bringing new siblings, a shared Hispanic culture, and a beloved stepfather, Robert Lucero, who became “Grandpa” to the family. His passing in 2020, along with the loss of Drisha’s brother to alcoholism three years later, left lasting marks on her heart and deepened her commitment to being a source of strength for others.

Drisha is a proud first-generation college graduate. She attended an Historic Black College or University (HBCU) in Louisiana before completing her degree at Cal State San Bernardino. While working early in her career in the area of ophthalmology, Drisha eventually went to work for the CPUC, where her outgoing nature and passion for equity drew her to Supplier Diversity. She quickly became a fierce advocate for underrepresented businesses — connecting suppliers to opportunities, holding institutions accountable, and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. Her work is more than a career — it’s a calling. Drisha lives by the principles of faith, service, and accountability. She often asks herself, “How would Mom see me now?” and uses that reflection to guide her choices. She’s known for her honesty, her refusal to play political games, and her unwavering belief in uplifting others. “We’re here to make society better,” she says. “Respect all of us. Be of service to each other.”

With a 23-year-old son and a legacy of leadership behind her, Drisha continues to push for a more inclusive and humane world—one supplier, one neighbor, one conversation at a time.