Melissa Richardson Banks

Melissa Richardson Banks effectively combines best practices from nonprofits and businesses to increase all types of charitable giving and to elevate public awareness. As Sponsorship & Marketing Director for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, she successfully established an inaugural program that combined corporate underwriting with nonprofit marketing strategies for funded projects of the Los Angeles Public Library, resulting in over $3 million.

Formerly, she held senior fundraising positions at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Los Angeles and Texas A&M University, securing and managing nearly $12 million in diversified funding. Her experience includes a solid record of success in securing support from individuals, foundations, companies and government agencies for museums, libraries, K-12 schools, universities, festivals, independent films, executive education programs, the sciences, and the performing arts. Prior to her eleven years in the nonprofit arena, she spent several years in corporate sales and marketing.

She holds a B.A. in journalism (advertising and speech communication) from Southwest Texas State University and completed a master's degree and Ph.D. studies in educational administration (business and finance) from Texas A&M University.