SENIOR PARTNER
Melinda Church is an innovative communications executive accomplished in strong positioning of leaders, organizations, and large-scale philanthropic initiatives. She specializes in writing transformational donor-facing proposals and case statements, developing strategic communications plans, and coaching leaders in philanthropic storytelling.
From 2016 to 2022, she was Senior Vice President and Practice Area Leader of Strategic Communications at Grenzebach Glier and Associates, a philanthropic consultancy based in Chicago and London. She served over 100 clients, including colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad, hospitals and academic medical centers, museums, and international nonprofit organizations.
Prior to consulting, Melinda served for more than 25 years in higher education communications and marketing roles—all during major comprehensive campaigns. At The Ohio State University, she was Vice President for Advancement Integration and Communications, Vice President for University Communications, and Executive Officer to the President.
She also has served in executive and philanthropic communications roles at the University of Chicago, University of Virginia, Virginia Military Institute, and Washington and Lee University. She taught writing at Harford Community College in Maryland and has edited and designed numerous academic and general-audience publications. Before working in higher education, she served as Managing Editor of Indiana Business Magazine.
Melinda holds a master’s degree in journalism (science and health writing) from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in English (creative writing) from the University of Washington.