Layla Melendez

Layla Melendez is a personal finance SEO editing fellow based in New York City, specializing in optimizing content to help readers navigate financial decisions with ease and confidence. With over a year of experience in student journalism, she has developed expertise in copyediting, content creation, and digital media management, including working with CMS platforms to organize, upload, and manage digital archives. She recently joined the team at Business Insider in January 2025, where she works on enhancing the accessibility and visibility of personal finance content for a global audience.

Experience

Layla is passionate about making financial literacy approachable and practical. In her role, she focuses on optimizing personal finance articles, with a focus on student loans, personal loans, and mortgages.

Before joining Business Insider, Layla gained experience in communication, journalism, and media through a variety of roles:

• At Relentless Awareness, she developed press materials and advocacy campaigns, including efforts that contributed to a $50 million funding boost for upstate NY cities.
  

• As a World News Intern for GBH’s The World, she edited and published digital stories, designed social media posts, and contributed to newsletter production.
  

• During her time with the NYC Comptroller’s Office, she managed social media accounts, created engaging IG Reels, and captured event photography featured in outlets like Politico and City & State NY.

Expertise

Layla’s growing expertise includes:

• SEO strategy and content optimization

• Financial literacy education for beginners

• Digital storytelling, copywriting, and social media management

• Multimedia content creation using tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and WordPress

Education

Layla holds a degree in Communication and Journalism from the University at Albany, SUNY, where she has been recognized for academic excellence with awards such as the Spellman Academic Achievement Award and the Summa Cum Laude distinction.

When she’s not working, Layla enjoys travel, listening to music, reading, and seeking out new experiences across the city.