Melanie became The Mayflower’s first Director of Development in August 2024 to establish a structured approach to philanthropy, further enabling the organization to secure vital resources for its mission. Her professional journey began in the advertising industry where she discovered her love for nonprofit work. She spent the last 16 years in her role as the Southeast Regional Director for Walsh & Associates, where she led over 44 capital campaigns and dozens of Fundraising Feasibility & Planning Studies. Melanie has also consulted in the higher education sector where she worked with the University of Alabama as an independent fundraising contractor.

At the heart of her professional journey is a deep-seated commitment to make meaningful contributions and to align her career with a greater sense of purpose. She has seen firsthand how a community of support can fuel possibilities. Leading various teams, Melanie has successfully navigated through the complexities of fundraising, donor cultivation, and program development. She strives to harness the organizations collective potential by ensuring philanthropic efforts are always driven by values and mission.

Melanie attended the University of Georgia for most of her undergraduate studies, but ultimately graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Organizational Communications with a minor in Marketing. She currently resides in Winter Park with her husband, two children and their mini Bernedoodle.