Mel Duncan

Hero Mel Duncan of Fireside Home Solutions

HBF honors people who go above an beyond to help our organization as Foundation Heros. Our latest Hero isMelanie Tashima Duncan,Fireside Home Solutions. In spite of her busy life, she is always available to help our programs.

Tell us about yourself:

I am the Program Manager at Fireside Home Solutions, primarily supporting the Senior Leadership & Sales Teams. I facilitate training programs, employee engagement, company events, team meetings and sales summits. In this role, I am the coordinator for our community outreach programs – our volunteerism and donation drives. We are investing resources into workforce development, and it’s a pleasure to work alongside like-minded individuals on HBF’s Workforce Advisory Board.

Mel Duncan joins other HBA members at a job fair

Mel Duncan giving a tour to Reynolds Learning Academy

I’ve work for Fireside for 7 years now, and sought them out because they were one of my favorite companies to work with when I ran the Foundation. They were a generous, grounded and nimble company, always finding ways to make things work and move things forward. We are bigger now, with over 200 employees in 7 locations. It’s lovely to play a role in keeping our core values and company culture positive.

How did you get involved in the HBF? What keeps you involved?

I had the great privilege of serving as Executive Director of the Foundation prior to Ken Cowdry and Brenda Ketah. Prior to running the Foundation, I enjoyed volunteering at the HBA/HBF as a member in a sales & marketing role for a local mortgage company. I got to know many of the board members, and they convinced me to take a chance a lead a non-profit. Something I had never considered prior to meeting the good folks of the HBF. Fun fact, Brenda and I worked together back in the day…our team hired her! I remain involved & committed to the mission of HBF, because of their people and good work they do. Creating a sense of home for those without one still resonates with me. Home is where your heart is, where you make memories, raise your children, come together, celebrate. I love that the residential home building industry has the heart to pool its resources and make the impact it does through big and little acts…sometimes it’s the little things that spark a fire for those around you.

What is a fun fact about you that not everyone knows?

Mel and family enjoy the beach

Mel's Mad Skills

While many may know that I was born & raised in Hawaii, I am a 4th generation islander of Japanese descent, and the first in our immediate family of 4, to graduate college (University of Oregon). Family, extended family, the aunties and uncles my folks had in high school, all had a hand in raising me…it was the most wonderful, culturally diverse village. And, here is a newer story. Zack and I checked a bucket list item off recently when we bought our 2nd home at the beach – north of Gearhart, in a neighborhood called Surf Pines. We host our family & friends there on holidays and head out there as much as we can, soaking in the “Vitamin Sea”.

What is your favorite hobby?

Paddle boarding – our family enjoys being out on Oregon’s beautiful lakes & rivers whenever we can. I enjoy hiking local trails as well, but my husband Zack and I haven’t gone out on those longer 10+ mile trails with grand views and elevations, nearly as much this season. Whenever we travel, our family seeks out moderate hikes and trailheads and explore.

HBF Hero with Aloha Spirit

Hot Fun in the Summer Time

Construction Lessons with a Heart