Melissa L. Hodgdon
Mansfield,MA
Summary
Dynamic professional with a diverse background in higher education, NCAA athletics, and small non-profit spaces. Extensive experience in cross-functional communications and management of multiple contact points with clients, donors, and within academic and non-academic communities. Excellent reputation for diplomacy, persistence, diligence, and resiliency. Skills focused on strategic and consultative relationships. Possess critical thinking and creative problem-solving aptitude with a drive to “get things done” efficiently, effectively, and within set timelines and on budget. Strength in establishing strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with donors and partners; cultivating relationships or “mending fences”, depending on the need. Self-directed with an ability to remain flexible while navigating different personalities and agendas. Core beliefs include integrity, accountability, adaptability, and that relationship building is key to sustainable success.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Development
Strive: How You Lead Matters
08.2022 - Current
- Development
- Fundraising
- Design, develop and implement new development plan for expanding non-profit.
- Adjusted and implemented robust 7th Annual Virtual Strive 5K increasing donors.
- Increased programming and outreach.
- Developed and implemented Giving Tuesday and Annual Giving Campaign.Exceeded goal for both.
- Secured new programming partnership with NBA Court of Leaders for $21,000.
- Assumed critical role with Board of Directors and Executive Director in transition of leadership for the organization.
- Create email templates for donor discovery, cultivation and solicitation.
- Create and manage the database for donor and sponsor information.
- Program planning for DoMore24 giving day
- Creating a plan and raising $65,000 to fund the relaunch of the June 2023 Sports Challenge Academy which historically has taken a $50,000 loss for the organization each year.
- Worked in partnership with sales, marketing and programming to best serve our new and existing partners.
- Generated financial resources for organization through corporate and individual sponsorships, grants and special events.
Volunteer
Strive: How You Lead Matters
05.2022 - 08.2022
- Assisted President Belle Koclanes in strategic planning for national growth in critical spaces for programming and sponsorships.
- Participated in "Strive Squad" virtual meetings.
Head Women's Basketball Coach
University of Hartford
04.2021 - 05.2022
- Accomplished most overall wins, most conference wins and made playoffs for first time since 2018-2019 season.
- Managed all aspects of the program in the transition year from NCAA DI America East to NCAA DIII.
- Hired and supervised staff of five people.
- Actively recruited domestic and international student-athletes.
- Press conferences and interviews preseason and in season.
- Reduced budget spending to accommodate adjusted athletic department vision.
- Player and student support and development.
First Assistant, Basketball Coach
University of Hartford
04.2019 - 04.2021
- Assisted and advised first-year head coach in all aspects of the program.
- Player skill development.
- Athletic training room, counseling center and strength training liaison.
- Scouting reports creation and implementation.
- Recruiting nationally and internationally.
- Just Play, Synergy, and Sportscode point person.
- Game schedule coordinator.
- Academic advisor for student-athletes. Achieved over 3.0 GPA.
- Represented program in speaking engagements with donors/boosters.
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Wheaton College
05.2003 - 04.2019
- November 28, 2018 became all-time career wins record.
- 2 in NCAA DIII for Free Throw % (3/1/18).
- Team GPA 3.43- top of 21 athletic teams (Fall '17).
- 200th win January 23, 2016.
- Back to back 20-win seasons 2013-14; 2014-15.
- Most NEWMAC wins for Wheaton men's or women's basketball (120).
- 2014 President Awards Winner –first in the history of the athletics department.
- NEWMAC Coach of the Year 2008 and 2014.
- Ancillary for the Office of Social Justice and Community Impact.
- Oversee the development and management of the program budget and fundraising activities.
- Successfully recruited student athletes, including numerous All NEWMAC selections, 1000-point scorers, NEWMAC scholar athletes and record book breakers.
- 2016 graduate signed professional contract in Germany.
- Broke school record for NEWMAC wins in a season (2008) (2013).
- Team held over a 3.0 grade point average twelve of fourteen seasons; highest GPA in department fall 2017 (3.43).
- Successfully started a youth halftime program with the community and annual “youth day”.
- Started an alumnae database and newsletter by getting free software resource for program.
- Created a team blog, Twitter page and Instagram to use for families, alumnae, friends and recruiting.
- Led efforts in our department to increase community service activities; our team is recognized locally and nationally for our work (NCAA Spotlight Poll winners 2014, 2015, winter 2016 and fall 2016).
- Created a strength conditioning and nutrition program when resources were not available.
- Mentored several part time assistant coaches, as we did not offer a full time assistant(s) positions.
- Served on many campus committees to help support our college initiatives and goals.
- Organized, fundraised and executed team overnight trips to places such as Oregon, Maryland, New York, Puerto Rico, Maine and Hawaii.
First Assistant
College of the Holy Cross
05.1999 - 05.2003
- Recruiting coordinator for top mid major DI women's basketball program.
- Recruited three 1000-point scores and numerous All-Patriot League selections.
- Designed and implemented pre and post-season individual and group workouts.
- Designed and implemented team defensive concepts.
- Liaison with Financial Aid and Admissions.
- Created scouting report and game film edits.
- Worked directly with strength and conditioning director and athletic training staff.
- Three NCAA tournament appearances and one NIT over my four year 96 wins in four seasons; 4 Patriot League regular season titles; 3 NCAA tournaments; 1 NIT.
Assistant, Basketball Coach
Niagara University
05.1997 - 05.1999
- Evaluated recruits nationally and internationally and developed database.
- Coordinated recruiting schedule for our staff.
- Supervised academic development of student athletes.
- Developed and implemented a community service program.
- Developed and instructed player development sessions in the preseason and post season.
- Team GPA over 3.0 each year.
Interim Head Basketball and Volleyball Coach
University Of New Hampshire
03.1997 - 05.1997
- Facilitated search for first ever volleyball coach while coaching club team; building budget; ordering equipment.
- Interim head women's basketball coach while the college conducted a search for a new head women's basketball coach.
- The head volleyball coach we hired is still the all -time wins leader.
Assistant, Basketball Coach
University Of New Hampshire
05.1994 - 05.1997
- Started as "restricted earnings coach" in 1194 and by 1995 was named "first assistant coach".
- In charge of post and guard player development.
- Supervised summer camp and youth programs.
- Marketed and promoted the program while working with development and sports information office.
- Recruited two 1000-point scorers.
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Wentworth Institute of Technology
08.1992 - 05.1994
- Built a program from the bottom up in every facet on the court, in the classroom, in the community, financially, structurally and philosophically.
- Recruited the school's all-time leading scorer.
- First year was 2-21; Second season as head coach was 11-13.
- Hosted first ever playoff game for program February.
Teacher and Coach
Newton Country Day
08.1991 - 05.1993
- Instructed Health Education, Physical Education and Anatomy& Physiology classes in grades 5-12.
- Coached 5th-8th grade field hockey, basketball and softball.
Assistant, Basketball Coach
Framingham State University Athletics
08.1991 - 05.1992
- Assisted head coach in all aspects of the program as a part-time assistant coach.
Education
Master of Science - School Counseling
Niagara University
Niagara Falls, NY05.1999
Bachelor of Science - Health Education
Springfield College
Springfield, MA05.1991
Skills
- Relationship Builder
- Data analysis
- Community engagement
- Planning & Organizing
- Partnership management
- Microsoft Office proficient
- Hubspot, Milanote and Google workflows
- Customer Service
- Logistics and itineraries
- Assessment Strategies and Guidance
- Campaign Conceptualization
- Donor Relations
- Fundraising Campaigns design and execution
- CRM Integration
- Revenue Projections
Timeline
Director of Development
Strive: How You Lead Matters
08.2022 - Current
Volunteer
Strive: How You Lead Matters
05.2022 - 08.2022
Head Women's Basketball Coach
University of Hartford
04.2021 - 05.2022
First Assistant, Basketball Coach
University of Hartford
04.2019 - 04.2021
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Wheaton College
05.2003 - 04.2019
First Assistant
College of the Holy Cross
05.1999 - 05.2003
Assistant, Basketball Coach
Niagara University
05.1997 - 05.1999
Interim Head Basketball and Volleyball Coach
University Of New Hampshire
03.1997 - 05.1997
Assistant, Basketball Coach
University Of New Hampshire
05.1994 - 05.1997
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Wentworth Institute of Technology
08.1992 - 05.1994
Teacher and Coach
Newton Country Day
08.1991 - 05.1993
Assistant, Basketball Coach
Framingham State University Athletics
08.1991 - 05.1992
Master of Science - School Counseling
Niagara University
Bachelor of Science - Health Education
Springfield College