melinda
carbajal
Melinda Carbajal is the Managing Member and CEO of Simply Pizza, a unique wood-fired, mobile, and hybrid restaurant business. With a background in government and education, Melinda has carved out a niche in the food industry, leveraging her extensive knowledge of systems, grants, and nonprofit management to drive her business forward in innovative ways.
As a dedicated mother of five, Melinda balances her entrepreneurial endeavors with an active role in her community. She serves on three nonprofit boards and holds two elected bipartisan offices in her region, reflecting her commitment to community engagement and service.
Melinda thrives on building programs, navigating complex systems, and making a positive impact. Her journey from the realms of government and education to the culinary world is a testament to her adaptability and passion for serving others. Two of the nonprofits she serves on have a direct impact in the pizza industry as a whole and allow her to merge her love of service and passion for pizza. She became a member of the Slice Out Hunger board in 2023 and is on the team alongside Laura Meyer that founded Fork to Future in 2025.
As a pizza professional Melinda joined the World Pizza Champions team in 2026, the same year she was named a Legacy award winner for Les Dames de’Escoffier International and the Julia Childs Foundation. Melinda contributes to the industry through monthly columns in Pizza Today Magazine and is an educator at conferences and industry events. Sharing her knowledge and expertise of government, mobile food trucking, nonprofits, and more with the pizza community.
