Melody comes to the Albuquerque Community Foundation in 2025 with a decade of experience fundraising for nonprofits and educational institutions in Albuquerque. Melody is passionate about connecting more people to the deep sense of meaning and joy that can be experienced through investing in our community. She has worked with individuals, foundations and corporations to support youth services, juvenile justice reform, family support & stabilization and health, food & nutrition-focused organizations.

As Major Gifts Officer for the Foundation, Melody is driven by the understanding that authentic connection is a necessary precursor to giving. She enjoys getting to know donors’ deepest dreams for our community and helping them bring them to fruition through philanthropy.

Originally from Philadelphia, Melody spent 15 years living in New York City where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at New York University and worked at People magazine before pivoting to nonprofit grant writing and fundraising. She moved to New Mexico in 2014 with her spouse, who grew up in Los Duranes.

Outside of work, Melody spends much of her free time running along the Bosque, country line dancing and caring for her large collection of houseplants.

• Red or green? Green
• Mountain or River? River
• Comedy Club or Dance Club? Dance!
• Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
• High School Mascot: The Lancer
• If you could have lunch with anyone alive or dead, who would it be? Martin Luther King Jr.
• If you didn’t work for the Foundation, where would you work? At a local nonprofit or another foundation.
• Name three songs you would include on your soundtrack of life: “Fantasy,” by Earth, Wind & Fire; “Paparazzi,” by Lady Gaga; “Don’t Stop Believin’,” by Journey.
• What’s your favorite time of the year in New Mexico? Early fall, when the wild sunflowers are in bloom.
• What is a skill you’d like to learn? I want to be an expert in Excel.
• If you could witness any event of the past, present or future, what would it be? The building of the great pyramids of Giza.