Our Team
Melissa Calles-De la Peña
Founder & Market Director
Melissa Calles is an Arizona State University graduate, first-generation Mexican American, entrepreneur, photographer, and community leader. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology in 2016 and worked as a paralegal for 8 years before shifting her focus to entrepreneurship and community-centered work.
A photographer since age 17, Melissa owns Melissa Calles Photography, specializing in Arizona lifestyle and Branding photography. After opening her photography studio in 2024, her work with local small businesses helped inspire what would become Buckeye Night Market. Recognizing a need for more family-centered experiences in Buckeye and opportunities for local vendors to grow closer to home, Melissa founded the market in October 2024, inspired by the First Friday markets she grew up attending in Downtown Phoenix.
In addition to leading Buckeye Night Market, Melissa hosts Who Gave This Girl a Mic?, a podcast launched in 2020, and serves on the Buckeye Hispanic Committee board as Director of Marketing. A military wife and mother of three, Melissa is passionate about supporting small businesses, building meaningful community partnerships, and creating spaces that bring people together.
Edgar De La Peña
Director of Operations
With 13 years of military experience, Edgar De La Peña brings a strong background in leadership, operational management, and relationship building to his role as Director of Operations at Buckeye Night Market.
Throughout his military career, Edgar has developed a leadership philosophy centered on empathy, accountability, and leading by example. He believes effective leadership starts with understanding people, recognizing their strengths, and building meaningful relationships through trust, respect, and open communication.
As Director of Operations, Edgar oversees event logistics, vendor and business partnerships, and customer relationship management. His focus is on creating an organized and welcoming environment while ensuring vendors, sponsors, and attendees have a positive experience.
Driven by his passion for supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening community relationships, Edgar is committed to helping Buckeye Night Market grow while making a lasting impact on the Buckeye community.
Maria Dolores Villanueva
Vendor Administration Coordinator
Originally from Hermosillo, Sonora, México, María Dolores brings decades of administrative experience and a lifelong commitment to serving others to the Buckeye Night Market team.
After completing her studies in Commercial and Accounting Secretarial Studies, María began her career as a secretary for a law firm. She later spent seven years providing administrative support within a political organization in Mexico before making Phoenix, Arizona, her home. There, she served the Cartwright School District for 26 years before retiring.
Today, María brings that same organization, consistency, and dedication to Buckeye Night Market as our Vendor Administration Coordinator. Working behind the scenes, she helps manage vendor payments, confirmations, records, and administrative details that keep each market organized and running smoothly.
More than a member of the BNM team, María is also family—literally. As Melissa’s mom, she has been part of the heart and support system behind Buckeye Night Market from the beginning. Her willingness to step in wherever she is needed, support our vendors, and help bring each market to life makes her an invaluable part of the BNM team and the community we continue to build together.
Kamila Cocoletzi
Social Media Content Producer
Kamila is an entrepreneur, creative, and community builder passionate about culture, storytelling, and helping small businesses shine. As a content producer for Buckeye Night Market and an organizer at Mercadito Yolotzin, she loves creating welcoming spaces where families, artesanos, and the community can come together and celebrate Mexican culture.
Through Manos Mexicanas, Kamila helps businesses build their media presence through creative content and storytelling that captures the heart behind their work. Her Mexican heritage inspires so much of what she does, and she’s passionate about helping others feel proud of their roots and confident in sharing their stories.
While pursuing her degree in Business Administration and serving in the Arizona Army National Guard, Kamila is also working toward her own dream: building a life and family rooted in support, connection, and growth. At the heart of everything she does is a simple belief: behind every business is a person working toward something meaningful—and she’s grateful to be part of their journey.
Wendy De La Peña
Digital Marketing Specialist
Wendy is a communications and marketing professional who is endlessly curious about human connection, trees, and nature, and also loves a good book (the power of a good story!). With more than 10 years of experience in communications, social media marketing, content creation, and website design and management, she brings a data-driven, people-centered approach to everything she does.
Her experience also includes print content development, Google Analytics (GA4), email marketing and newsletters, online community management, media outreach, and campaign development that connects organizations with the people they serve.
After six years working for a statewide nonprofit, Wendy recently launched her own digital marketing agency, Golden Hour Media. Through the agency, she helps small businesses and nonprofits strengthen their online presence with beautiful, strategic websites and reach the right audiences through Meta and Google Ads and social media strategy.
Through her work with Buckeye Night Market, Wendy loves being part of something that brings local businesses, families, and neighbors together. She believes strong communities are built through connection and collaboration, and she’s excited to see the Buckeye Night Market continue to grow.