Melanie Cohen has an extensive professional background in non-profit organizational fundraising with a specific emphasis on individual giving.  She has been involved in the fundraising and non-profit world for almost 20 years, most recently with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as Director of Development/Major Gift Officer.

 

Melanie has a passion for developing long-term philanthropic relationships with individual donors and connecting them to meaningful projects within their community or organization.  She has seen the incredible impact that organizations, like the PairUP Society, can make on a community and is excited to help lead the vision of this organization to advocate and elevate the voices of the underrepresented for a more diverse, racially equitable and inclusive education and community.

 

Most recently, Melanie has become very involved with her own children’s elementary school to help lead their newly formed Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee.  She feels strongly that all voices should be represented and that every child deserves to receive the respect and friendship of their school community.  This can only be done by teaching the children at a very young age the importance of being different and how we all learn very positive things from our differences.  She also believes that it is crucial for our educators and staff to continue to educate themselves in the world of diversity, equity and inclusion.  

 

In her spare time, Melanie is actively involved with her alma mater, York College of Pennsylvania where she sits on various committees and has served 9 years on their Alumni Board of Directors, as President for 2 of those years.  She is the Vice President for the Board of Directors for the PairUP Society, is a troop leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and is a health & wellness coach.

 

Melanie and her husband, Sean, live in Chalfont, PA with their two children.  She loves family adventures, travel, wine, good food, sharing healthy recipes and spending quality time with family and friends.