Melissa Peña

Melissa recently joined FrameWorks Institute as the Director of Development. In her role, she will be cultivating a wide and diverse network of funders to support the implementation of FrameWorks’ strategic goals and shape philanthropic understanding, discourse, and practice around social issue framing and narrative change.

Melissa has served in fundraising and nonprofit management roles for over ten years and has worked with institutional funders and individuals to raise significant funds for healthcare, education, and the intersection of economic, racial, and environmental justice. She is passionate about shifting philanthropy from charity to justice, building power around progressive solutions, and supporting meaningful social change.

Prior to Melissa’s nonprofit work, she co-owned a small business, Mars Pub and Laser Tag. Melissa graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Public Relations and a minor in Spanish from the University of Florida. She lives in Gainesville, Florida, with her husband and two daughters.