Melissa Bannett | Oceana

Melissa Bannett

Senior Director, Institutional Giving

Oceana Staff

Melissa is well-suited for the role of Director of Institutional Giving, having both led a foundation as executive director earlier in her career and having served in key fundraising positions for several organizations.

At National Public Radio, Melissa was Director of Institutional Giving, partnering with program staff to raise funds for NPR’s coverage of science, health, the environment, education and digital innovation. 

Previously, Melissa lived in the San Francisco Bay area for 17 years. She worked for eight years with the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, including as its executive director. There, she was responsible for a grantmaking program of $3 million annually, investing in a diverse set of local issues as well as in national organizations. She left the Haas, Jr. Fund to develop a consulting practice for foundations and nonprofit organizations focused on organizational and program development and fundraising.

Beyond work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her teenagers, reading, cooking, and traveling. She earned a B.A. from McGill University, from which she took a gap year to sail from New York to the Virgin Islands, including one week on the ocean.  She is originally from New York City.

 

Location: United States