Melinda and her husband Mark moved to Asheville in 2019. After a successful and fulfilling marketing career in Manhattan, Melinda recently left her corporate chapter to begin a new one, rooted in creativity, volunteering, and nature. Melinda discovered Open Hearts Art Center when researching non-profit organizations that might combine her love of hand-making with her desire to work alongside adults with diverse abilities and neurodivergent perspectives. She began volunteering at OHAC in early 2024 and instantly felt at home with the team, the artists, and the power of art to bring meaning and joy to all.

On any given day, you can find her knitting, making a quilt, designing quilt patterns, out in the woods, growing dahlias, trying her best in a hot yoga class, or visiting her 3 kids in NYC.

With decades of experience shaping brands, driving campaigns, and connecting with audiences, she brings her wealth of strategic and creative marketing experience to help guide and support the vision of Open Hearts Art Center.