Melissa Hopkins
Newark,Delaware
Summary
Results-driven executive with a focus on strategic leadership, team collaboration, and operational excellence. Experienced in public policy strategy development, relationship building, community engagement, fundraising, and large-scale advocacy endeavors. Recognized for adaptability, problem-solving skills, and a strong commitment to achieving organizational goals. Skilled in dissecting challenges and devising creative solutions, financial management, and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director
Delaware Nonprofit Action Network
02.2023 - Current
- Worked closely with new board of directors to start-up the new 501(c)(4) from concept to operational strategy.
- Built relationships with individual donors and philanthropy to secure funding and support for organization.
- Oversaw financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability for the organization.
- Advocated for policy changes on behalf of Delaware nonprofit sector at both local and state levels to by directly engaging with political leaders and holding them accountable for their commitments.
- Forge strong relationships with board members, providing regular updates on organizational progress and soliciting their expertise when needed.
Executive Vice President of Sector Advancement
DANA, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement
07.2017 - Current
- Promote the value of nonprofits and the nonprofit sector to government, business, and the philanthropic sectors
- Track and report regularly on nonprofit sector outcomes and statistics to shape the story of sector value to stakeholders and communicate organizational value to current and potential members, corporate business leaders, policymakers, and the public
- Develop and implement sector transformation initiatives with the DANA Board, funding, and programmatic partners to advance and strengthen the nonprofit sector in Delaware, inform the community of issues that impact nonprofits and mobilize the sector when appropriate, to include planning, setup and launch of Delaware Nonprofit Action Network (c4) in fall 2023
- Build and steward strategic partnerships with local and national Alliance Partners (funders) and key leaders in the business, government, religious and philanthropic sectors
- Serve as the lead on DANA’s development strategy and secure funding to support DANA’s capacity building activities and general operations
- Lead DANA’s membership engagement strategy to grow the 'Alliance' in terms of nonprofit members, business partners, corporate and philanthropic partners, in addition to expansion of members in Southern Delaware
- Oversee DANA brand management and marketing strategies to promote DANA’s value to targeted stakeholders in Delaware and beyond through a portfolio of communication methods, both in earned and paid media
- Devise and implement budget for Sector Advancement department of the DANA, to include membership, communications, annual events, and revenue responsibilities to support general operations of the organization
- As of 2022, this includes administration of process the organization-wide financial systems and budget oversight and coordinate the annual audit process
- Achieved company growth by implementing strategic initiatives and fostering collaboration across departments.
Youth in Government Advisor
YMCA of Delaware
01.2017 - Current
- Assist with recruitment, training, and supervision of Youth in Government delegation
- Work with delegates to complete their program area responsibilities; creating legislation, research, authoring proposals, and any other tasks to complete
- Coach participants on parliamentary procedure and debate techniques
Director of External Affairs
Rodel Foundation of Delaware
12.2011 - 06.2017
- Serve as Rodel’s representative in Legislative Hall and with stakeholders statewide
- Team lead of Legislative Strategy Team responsible for position development around avariety of proposed policies, track legislation and engage as appropriate, build new relationships with legislators and potential partners, specifically around Rodel, Vision Coalition and Delaware Business Roundtable Education policy priorities
- Provide strategic counsel internally and externally around political landscape and coordinate internal planning regarding advocacy initiatives
- Envision education reform ecosystem for the next 3-5 years, recommend and implement measures to agitator/reform supporter quadrant of the ecosystem to create a robust education reform advocacy network in the state
- Direct outreach and engagement strategies, through continued relationship building with local, community and non-profit leaders to develop new opportunities for partnership
- Craft and implement organizational relationship strategy by identifying where relationships with public and private external stakeholders exist or are necessary to gain insights and intelligence to identify risks and opportunities
- Plan and facilitate events for policymakers and other constituent groups to build outreach around the Rodel and Vision Coalition brands and educate them on education issues facing the nation and state
Legislative Aide to House Majority Leader and House Majority Whip
House of Representatives Democratic Caucus
01.2009 - 12.2011
- Provide accurate, in-depth research into issues, bills, or other legislative actions to assist in the design and development of strategies to pass or defeat legislation before the House and to update and recommend course of action to Representatives
- Work with House Attorneys and assist in the development and drafting of proposed legislation
- Manage all constituent requests and concerns for Representatives Schwartzkopf (Majority Leader), Longhurst (Majority Whip) and Bolden, while building positive relationships with communities
- Sole staff person responsible for preparation and coordination of 'must list(s)' between House of Representatives and Senate at the end of legislative session
- Administer and track allocation of funds from legislator’s annual Community Transportation Fund appropriation of $225,000
- Research, develop, and draft letters, and other printed communication for Representatives
- Serve as a liaison and technical assistance to state agencies, constituents, Federal and local governmental officials, and the public
Education
Master of Science - Management, Public Administration
Wilmington University
New Castle, Delaware05.2021
No Degree -
Leadership Delaware, Inc Fellowship
Wilmington, DE12.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware05.2006
Skills
- Organizational Growth
- Strategic Partnerships
- Outstanding management skills
- Leadership and People Development
- Relationship Building
- Executive Leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Policy Development
- Problem-Solving
- Government relations
- Policy Advocacy
Volunteerism
- Newark Day Nursery, 03/11 - 01/13; 02/17 - 01/23, Board Chair (2019 - 2022), Board Member (2017-2023)
- Christ the Teacher Catholic School, 09/19 - present, Board Member, Committee Chair
- KIDS Count, 03/21 - present, Board Member
- Delaware Workforce Development Board, 01/23 - present, Board Member
Awards
Delaware Business Times 40 under 40 Honoree, August 2015
Timeline
Executive Director
Delaware Nonprofit Action Network
02.2023 - Current
Executive Vice President of Sector Advancement
DANA, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement
07.2017 - Current
Youth in Government Advisor
YMCA of Delaware
01.2017 - Current
Director of External Affairs
Rodel Foundation of Delaware
12.2011 - 06.2017
Legislative Aide to House Majority Leader and House Majority Whip
House of Representatives Democratic Caucus
01.2009 - 12.2011
Master of Science - Management, Public Administration
Wilmington University
No Degree -
Leadership Delaware, Inc Fellowship
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Delaware
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