MELANIE BROOKS
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Dynamic and visionary leader, community-oriented executive professional with history of delivering impactful organizational changes and strategic initiatives. Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, ensuring alignment with company goals and fostering culture of excellence. Renowned for adaptability and strong focus on achieving measurable results through effective collaboration and leadership. Passion for building vibrant communities through successful stakeholder collaboration, sound fiscal management, strengthening reserves, driving strategic growth, and most importantly, a resident-focused community approach.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director
WINFIELD OWNERS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
02.2022 - Current
- Current Position – HOA Executive Director
- Administered comprehensive management of association serving 511 homes in North Scottsdale.
Oversaw club, spa, pool, café, and outdoor facilities to ensure optimal operation.
Directed maintenance of tennis courts, pickleball courts, parks, and trails.
Led significant projects to upgrade community infrastructure and services.
Cultivated community engagement efforts to encourage resident involvement.
Ensured all facilities operated efficiently and met quality expectations. - Coordinated strategic planning, board training, and community events to strengthen governance.
Fostered collaborative relationships with board members and committees for improved communication.
Managed logistics for board meetings, ensuring efficient time management and agenda adherence.
Provided oversight on board functions, aligning activities with strategic objectives. - Oversaw financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability for the organization.
- Acted as legal liaison, maintaining governance compliance within community association.
Provided timely updates on pertinent issues and legislative changes affecting the association. - Fosters strong relationships with City officials, homeowners, vendors, staff, and committee volunteers.
- Manages administration and personnel for Winfield facilities featuring clubhouse and activity center, pool and spa facilities, tennis/pickleball courts, large non-resident tennis membership, rentals, cleaning crews, office and event spaces, on-site café.
- Guided staff through periods of organizational change, maintaining morale and engagement during transitions.
- Collaborates with committees, executing events, design review/approvals, modifications, community development.
- Advocated for policy changes at both local and national levels to further support the organization''s goals and objectives.
- Collaborated with external organizations including non-profits, businesses and government agencies to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Secured substantial funding for new projects by cultivating relationships with key donors and stakeholders.
Executive Director
MISSION BAY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
03.2014 - 02.2022
- Supervised management of private luxury communities at Mission Bay and Mission Bay Preserve.
Directed operations encompassing townhomes, sub-associations, and single-family homes in Mission Bay.
Managed expansive single-family lots ranging from five to seven acres in Mission Bay Preserve.
Maintained community amenities such as private beach, docks, and walking trails.
Facilitated homeowner engagement for approximately 300 residents through regular communications.
Oversaw access to adjacent golf course and wildlife habitats to enrich community experience. - Worked closely with organizational leadership and three boards of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Oversaw operational financial management and management of capital reserve funds, investments - ensuring fiscal responsibility and long term sustainability for the organization
- Collaborated with residents with the mutual goal of building the highest service levels and a strong, vibrant community.
- Directed and facilitated all communications with three boards, committees, finance advisors, accountants, sub-associations, legal counsel, developer, and steering committee for both Mission Bay and Mission Bay Preserve.
- Oversight of all aspects of Community Center for both communities including budget planning/cost controls, home short and long-term rentals, operations of a Community Center, Pool, Spa, tennis and pickleball courts, exercise rooms, meeting rooms and offices. Strong manager of operations in community common areas, docks, beaches, walking trails, roads, parks, gazebos and kayak sheds. Managed maintenance, capital projects, events.
- Managed design approval process for new homes, ensuring timely project completion within budget. Supervised all aspects of homeowner design and construction for adherence to MBHOA Architectural Guidelines.
Coordinated projects and staff across all facilities to enhance operational efficiency.
Oversaw vendor search and bidding process for comprehensive project management.
Delivered full scope of projects, prioritizing quality and adherence to timelines. - Delivered all presentations for annual semi-annual meetings of Homeowners and Boards of Directors.
- Cultivated strong strategic relationships founded on professionalism and trust among homeowners, vendors, city officials, Boards of Directors, and management staff.
- Spearheaded development of budgets for community projects, enhancing financial planning accuracy.
Coordinated reserve studies, implementing findings to inform short- and long-term forecasts.
Designed and managed RFPs for project bidding, ensuring selection of top-tier vendors.
Oversaw all project expenditures to uphold fiscal integrity across all initiatives. - Addressed and counseled homeowners regarding violations and home/property design
- Designed and launched award-winning newsletters, enhancing communication with homeowners through well-crafted content and strategies for ongoing engagement.
Catering and Special Event Planner, Manager
FINLEY POINT GRILL
01.2015 - 08.2021
- Developed and marketed creative experiences with spirit and adventure for clientele, including made to order events: buffets, entertainment, music, weddings, graduations, special parties.
- Managed logistics for successful events, including venue selection, contract negotiation, and coordinating with vendors.
- Managed all restaurant bookkeeping.
- Part-time position while building career at Mission Bay HOA.
Deputy Director
TMORA Fine Art Museum
01.2013 - 03.2014
- Directed operations and fundraising initiatives for Museum as Deputy Director.
- Cultivated strategic relationships with Board of Trustees and individual donors.
- Executed direct supervisory oversight and management of $5M budgets, Museum property and plant; Museum staff personnel including Finance, Grant Writers, Facilities Manager, Curators, Volunteer/Special Events Coordinator, Bookkeeper, Program Manager, External Relations Manager, and Museum Store Manager.
- Provided entrepreneurial vision and innovation in developing new museum, ensuring success and impact.
- Advanced museum vision and brand through coordinated fundraising efforts and strategic promotions.
- Supported Director in coordinating long-term strategic projects by forwarding recommendations to Museum Board of Trustees to enhance organizational growth
- Directed oversight of Museum's operating budget and coordinated with Bookkeeping for accurate financial reporting.
Consistently achieved budget targets throughout employment.
Enhanced cash flow management through strategic collaboration with accounting team. - Coordinated cross-functional teams to successfully execute large-scale projects on time and within budget constraints.
- Implemented technology solutions that improved workflow efficiency and reduced operational costs.
- Directed exhibition, program, and inventory operations and future plans.
- Represented the Museum as spokesperson at designated promotional events, museum industry peer group activities and public outreach programs.
- Engaged with high-end art patrons to secure financial support.
- Collaborated with national and international representatives, ambassadors, and cultural organizations.
President, Stores & Special Events
TMORA Museum Art Stores
05.2005 - 01.2012
- Directed vision and brand development, overseeing new store buildouts and business management.
- Managed Profit & Loss to drive financial performance across multiple locations.
- Special Events
- Planned museum grand opening week event in 2005, attracting 400 visitors and featuring a gala, private party for 40, and media pre-party for 100 professionals.
- Managed hospitality logistics for Russian dignitaries, including lodging, entertainment, catering, and transportation.
- Controlled $350,000 budget while negotiating vendor deals to save $45,000.
- Oversaw VIP Fundraising “White Nights” event with 250 attendees and corporate sponsors, generating $55,000 in revenue.
- Negotiated contracts with vineyards and caterers for the fundraising event, achieving savings exceeding $15,000.
- Spearheaded “Founders Award Evening” following museum founder's Russian Medal of Friendship Award, hosting dignitaries and CEOs.
- Developed three annual children’s programs introducing plays to young audiences, focusing on story development and actor recruitment.
- Negotiated partnerships that saved $28,000 while raising over $31,000 from children's events.
Director of Merchandising – The Wooden Bird Galleries
HADLEY COMPANIES
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Managed product portfolio across thirty stores generating $25M in annual revenue.
- Developed innovative products, streamlined SKUs, and enhanced merchandising strategies.
- Facilitated motivational sales seminars for store managers, driving alignment with business goals.
- Achieved $150,000 in inventory savings and increased sales by $200,000 over three years.
- Designed strong product branding to support retail and wholesale markets effectively.
- Leveraged in-house products, contributing to $75,000 in annual cost savings.
- Introduced successful product promotions, enhancing customer engagement across merchandise lines.
- Oversaw diverse product lines including wildlife art and outdoor-themed home décor.
- Optimized store layouts with visual merchandising best practices, resulting in increased customer engagement.
Education
Masters in International Management - Finance, Management And Marketing Concentrations
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul, MNBachelor of Arts - Studio Art, Design, Art History, English
St. Olaf College
Northfield, MNReal Estate Licensing
Montana School of Real Estate
Missoula, MTCommunity Association Management
Community Association Institute
Phoenix, AZ05-2025
Skills
- Community engagement
- Operations management
- Budgeting and financial management
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Program management
- Relationship building
- Staff management
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with community leaders in developing a new Reserve Study Analysis by introducing Excel programs for strategic planning and forecasting long-range major projects.
- Increased community capital reserves from $650,000 to $2M+, strengthening reserves to support strategic initiatives.
- Spearheaded a $2.4M capital campaign for the renovation of a much-needed community Library.
- Created dynamic content for community website and developed the site as strong communication tool for all residents.
- Established resident leadership, sustainability and social programs, increasing Board and resident engagement.
- Developed and implemented a yearly fund-raising event in collaboration with the Twin Cities Polo Club for Children's Home Society to support adoption services that became an annual event and significant source of funding and awareness for CHS.
- Awarded Best Hidden Gem in Minneapolis for outstanding new stores with inspiring product and exceptional customer service.
Volunteer Work and Interests
Passions
Giving Back to our communities and improving lives for the people that live there:
Past Board Member, Children’s Home Society,MN, North Lake County Library, MT
Charitable Fund-raising Committee and Chair at Hockaday Museum 3 yrs,
Jack Hanna Grizzly Rendezvous Committee Chair 3 yrs
Children’s Cancer Research, Minnesota Orchestra, The Museum of Russian Art, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Animal Rescues.
Fun
Equestrian Activities (Barrel Racing, Dressage, Polo, Trails)
Studio Arts – Watercolor & Oil Painter
Bernese Mountain Dog Specialty Shows Chairperson
Wildlife aficionado, avid hiker, golfer, fisher, and skier, violinist
Timeline
Executive Director
WINFIELD OWNERS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
02.2022 - Current
Catering and Special Event Planner, Manager
FINLEY POINT GRILL
01.2015 - 08.2021
Executive Director
MISSION BAY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
03.2014 - 02.2022
Deputy Director
TMORA Fine Art Museum
01.2013 - 03.2014
President, Stores & Special Events
TMORA Museum Art Stores
05.2005 - 01.2012
Director of Merchandising – The Wooden Bird Galleries
HADLEY COMPANIES
01.2001 - 01.2005
Masters in International Management - Finance, Management And Marketing Concentrations
University of St. Thomas
Bachelor of Arts - Studio Art, Design, Art History, English
St. Olaf College
Real Estate Licensing
Montana School of Real Estate
Community Association Management
Community Association Institute
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