Melina Kanakaredes, is an Emmy-nominated actor, writer, director and philanthropist. Her work in TV, film and theatre has earned her critical acclaim. She’s best known for her starring role as Stella Bonasera in CSI: New York. Prior to that, she starred as Dr. Sydney Hansen in NBC’s Providence. Currently, you can catch Melina starring as Dr. Lane Hunter in The Resident on Netflix and as Governor Nancy Dunlop in Season 8 of Showtime’s Billions.

Melina’s roots are in theatre, and throughout her career she’s continued to work on stage, both in Los Angeles and New York City. One of her favorites was starring on Broadway as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Film credits include: Snitch, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, 15 Minutes, Rounders, Dangerous Beauty, and The Long Kiss Goodnight. Melina is also a successful writer, and has multiple projects in development, Including an autobiographical comedy about growing up in a candy factory, currently produced by Sony.

Ms. Kanakaredes graduated Magna Cum Laude from Point Park College in Pittsburgh, PA with a BFA in Musical Theater. While pursuing her degree she appeared on stage at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and Pittsburgh Public Theater. In 2002 the college awarded her a Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree. Away from the set, Ms. Kanakaredes enjoys celebrating her Greek heritage with her friends and family and travels to Greece with her husband and daughters as often as possible. Melina is dedicated to working with many charitable groups and foundations, Americans for the Arts, Jhpiego, and Xprize to name a few.

Melina is proud and honored to be on the LACHSA Foundation board. She has a strong belief that an arts education is the key to creating the best future artists, and even better future citizens! As both an artist herself and LACHSA alumni parent, she knows first-hand the excellence of this amazing school, and hopes to help them continue changing student’s lives for years to come.