Today, we get to meet Melissa McLean, executive director of the Warren County Children’s Advocacy Center.

Warren native Melissa McLean is a woman of many roles–Executive Director and Forensic Interviewer at the Warren County Children’s Advocacy Center (WCCAC), ordained minister, mother, community advocate, and a steadfast believer in the power of human connection. Through her professional, personal, and spiritual callings, McLean’s work uplifts the most vulnerable in our community, and her story is a testament to compassion, resilience, and purpose.

Melissa describes herself as both a native and a transplant. Born in Warren but raised abroad due to her father’s service in the United States Marine Corps, Melissa spent her formative years in places like Jerusalem, Seoul, and Beijing. “It was a unique upbringing that shaped how I see the world, as well as how I see myself in it,” she reflects. Eventually, the family returned to Warren, and she graduated from Warren Area High School in 1999.

She went on to earn both her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and American Studies and a Master of Science in Education from Elmira College. After some time away, Melissa and her husband James made the decision to settle in Warren–drawn to its tight-knit community, slower pace, and the hope of raising their son, Joshua, in a place with strong roots and values.

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Pictured is Melissa McLean (center) with her parents Jeanne Hukill (left) and Robert Hukill (right) at her ordination and installation at Emanuel UCC.

As the Executive Director and Forensic Interviewer at WCCAC, McLean leads a trauma-informed nonprofit dedicated to children who have experienced physical or sexual abuse. “Our center provides a safe environment where kids can share their stories, get connected with support services, and begin the journey toward healing — all while minimizing additional trauma,” she explains.

Her daily work is multifaceted. Some days involve conducting forensic interviews with children–gathering critical information in a way that is both legally sound and emotionally safe. Other days include coordinating with a multidisciplinary team of professionals–law enforcement, caseworkers, medical personnel, and therapists–to ensure a compassionate and coordinated response to abuse.

A typical workday may also include writing grants, managing compliance, performing administrative tasks, conducting outreach and prevention education, or even cleaning bathrooms. “At a small rural nonprofit, everyone wears many hats,” she laughs. “It’s incredibly hard work, but it’s also sacred work.”

Integral to that work is Tiger, the CAC’s beloved black Lab facility dog, who comforts children during interviews, court preparation, and therapy. “He’s not just a mascot,” McLean notes. “He’s part of the healing process.”

In 2023, Melissa earned her Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary and was ordained by the United Church of Christ in 2025. She now also serves as the pastor at Emanuel UCC in Warren. There, she leads worship, provides pastoral care, and walks alongside a small congregation committed to justice, love, and grace.

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Pictured is Melissa and the facility dog, Tiger.

She also teaches worship and preaching for the Penn West Conference’s Lay Ministry Academy, helping adults prepare for leadership in their faith communities. “It’s a sacred privilege to hold space for people in both moments of joy and sorrow,” she says.

Before joining WCCAC, Melissa worked for over a decade in the Warren County School District, taught GED classes at the county jail, and even had a stint at the Times Observer. Each experience, she believes, has been a stepping stone to where she is today.

Beyond work, Melissa is deeply active in the Warren County community. She is a trained hospice volunteer, a member of Zonta and the Order of the Eastern Star, and a regular volunteer at her son’s school. She serves on boards and participates in community events with unwavering dedication. “Rural communities thrive when people pitch in, and I try to do that whenever I can,” she says.

She’s also a proud baseball mom, often found cheering on the WAHS Dragons, and enjoys local festivals, rummage sales, and small-town parades.

Melissa and her husband James, who shares her passion for nonprofit work and advocacy, are raising their teenage son, Joshua, in a home filled with love, laughter, and two dogs–Tiger and Moose. “We’re a little quirky and a lot of fun,” she jokes. “There’s often a debate at the dinner table about which Disney character is the coolest.”

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Pictured in photo are Katelyn Hecei, CAC Family Advocate & MDT Coordinator; Tiger, CAC Facility Dog; and Melissa McLean. Shine is a statewide campaign every summer to bring child abuse out of the shadows and let victims know that they are heard and supported.

When she isn’t working or volunteering, Melissa enjoys reading, writing personal essays, painting with watercolors, building Legos, and taking online classes just for the joy of learning. “Curiosity keeps life interesting,” she says.

Among the many milestones in her life, Melissa recalls a profound moment that shaped her perspective on compassion and connection. Years ago, a stranger mistook her in a parking lot for her deceased daughter and asked for a hug. Melissa embraced the grieving woman. “We stood in the parking lot hugging and crying,” she remembers. “That moment stays with me as a reminder of the strength of human connections and the power of a simple ‘yes.'”

Melissa McLean wants people to know that change starts with care. “You don’t have to be extraordinary to make a difference — you just have to care enough to show up,” she says. Whether at the Children’s Advocacy Center, in church, or at a community event, Melissa leads with a heart full of purpose.

“I’ve seen healing happen — in classrooms, courtrooms, church pews, front porches, and quiet coffee conversations,” she adds. “Warren County is proof that big things happen in small places. And I want every child here to grow up feeling safe, heard, and surrounded by people who believe in them.”