RACHEL MELENDEZ-MABEE
Summary
Senior executive leader advancing philanthropy, community impact, and workforce access through strategic program design, donor stewardship, and people-centered systems. Experience in building and scaling foundation-led initiatives, stewarding donor and corporate partner relationships, and developing talent pipelines that strengthen mission delivery. Trusted advisor to CEOs, boards, and senior leaders, recognized for aligning philanthropic investment, community partnerships, and people strategy to drive sustainable impact.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President, Brand & Culture
Greylock Federal Credit Union
01.2023 - Current
- Executive leader supporting organizational culture and people strategy while serving in governance and stewardship roles for community investment and philanthropic initiatives.
- Advise executive leadership on aligning community investment, employee engagement, and organizational values with long-term community impact goals.
- Serve on the Community Support and Community Giving oversight committee, stewarding nonprofit relationships and guiding funding strategy to align community investment with organizational mission and regional need.
- Evaluate nonprofit partnerships, funding proposals, and impact outcomes to ensure responsible deployment of charitable resources.
- Built partnerships with local nonprofit and community organizations to deliver financial wellness, literacy, and workforce readiness programming for underserved populations.
- Led enterprise culture initiatives during organizational transition, supporting leadership alignment and employee engagement across 13 branches and business units.
- Developed a multi-year People & Culture Roadmap integrating DEI, leadership, learning, and engagement initiatives for entire enterprise.
- Oversaw enterprise Training & Development strategy impacting approximately 300 employees annually, strengthening internal leadership pipelines and mission execution.
Workforce Development Lead Manager – PGA WORKS
PGA of America / PGA REACH
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Senior foundation and social impact leader responsible for designing, funding, and scaling workforce and youth development programs aligned with donor priorities, corporate partnerships, and the PGA’s philanthropic mission.
- Managed relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, and PGA leadership to align program design with philanthropic intent and foundation strategy.
- Designed and operationalized national fellowship and scholarship programs, establishing governance structures, selection processes, and partnership frameworks.
- Developed impact reporting, storytelling narratives, and donor-facing materials to demonstrate measurable return on philanthropic investment.
- Partnered with capital campaign leadership to align workforce initiatives with broader fundraising strategy and long-term foundation growth.
- Leveraged major championship platforms to elevate donor visibility, strengthen sponsor engagement, and expand program reach.
- Launched career exploration and access programming at major PGA Championships, connecting donors, partners, and underrepresented talent.
- Built and sustained partnerships with mission-aligned organizations to enhance program sustainability, credibility, and community impact.
Digital Strategy Manager
Berkshire Bank
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Developed strategic plans to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align company goals and initiatives.
Senior Account Executive
Roberts Communications
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Collaborated with internal teams to deliver tailored marketing solutions for clients.
- Presented campaign strategies and results to drive engagement.
- Developed strategic public relations plans for key clients in various industries.
Sales & Marketing Specialist
PGA of America
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Developed marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility and engagement.
- Collaborated with sales teams to align marketing efforts with business goals.
Program Director
The First Tee of East Lake
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Implemented strategic plans to align programs with organizational goals and mission objectives.
- Developed program curricula to enhance youth engagement in golf and life skills.
Account Manager
William Mills Agency
01.2004 - 01.2007
Education
B.A. - Journalism, Public Relations
University of Georgia
Professional Golf Management -
Penn State University
Skills
- Organizational Culture Strategy
- Employee Experience Design
- DEI Strategy & Integration
- Leadership Development
- Donor Engagement/Stewardship
- Donor relations
- Community Engagement Strategy
- Capital Campaign Support/Alignment
- Talent Pipeline Development
- Program Development
- Community investment
- Executive and Board Advisory
Executive Highlights
- Designed and scaled foundation-led workforce and community impact initiatives through PGA WORKS, expanding access, equity, and career pathways aligned with donor priorities.
- Founded and scaled the PGA WORKS Fellowship from 3 to 25 fellow in three years achieving 85% job placement and expanding national workforce access.
- Secured full donor funding and namesake designation for the PGA WORKS Scholarship program, ensuring long-term philanthropic sustainability and enhanced stewardship visibility.
- Led donor stewardship, storytelling and corporate engagement strategies supporting foundation programming and capital campaign alignment.
- Serve on oversight committee stewarding ~$1M in annual community investment, guiding nonprofit funding decisions and partnership strategy.
- Built cross-sector partnerships delivering financial literacy and workforce readiness initiatives for underserved communities.
- Executive advisor to senior leadership and boards on integrating philanthropy, people strategy, and community engagement to advance mission impact.
Board Community Leadership
- Board of Trustees — Berkshire Museum
- Board Member & DEI Co-Chair — United Way of Berkshire County
- Board Member — Community Health Systems
- Advisory Board — Seeing Rainbows
- Board Member — Women in Golf Foundation
Certification
Certified Diversity Executive
Accomplishments
Berkshire 40 under 40
Timeline
Vice President, Brand & Culture
Greylock Federal Credit Union
01.2023 - Current
Workforce Development Lead Manager – PGA WORKS
PGA of America / PGA REACH
01.2017 - 01.2022
Digital Strategy Manager
Berkshire Bank
01.2016 - 01.2017
Senior Account Executive
Roberts Communications
01.2014 - 01.2015
Sales & Marketing Specialist
PGA of America
01.2010 - 01.2013
Program Director
The First Tee of East Lake
01.2007 - 01.2010
Account Manager
William Mills Agency
01.2004 - 01.2007
B.A. - Journalism, Public Relations
University of Georgia
Professional Golf Management -
Penn State University