AHCJ invests in long-term sustainabilityby hiring its first development officer
Melody Morgan
Melody Morgan, an adaptive, purpose-driven leader with more than 13 years of experience in development, joins AHCJ as its first development officer.
In this new role, she will create and execute a fundraising plan that builds on AHCJ’s previous relationships with foundations while developing new strategies for diversifying revenue.
“We are so excited to welcome Melody to the team,” said Kelsey Ryan, AHCJ’s executive director. “This role is vital to securing philanthropic support for AHCJ’s mission and will be integral in keeping our organization sustainable and growing for years to come.”
Most recently, Morgan served as chief development officer for Emmanuel Family and Child Development Center in Kansas City, Mo. Throughout her career as a development professional, Morgan has raised more than $13 million to support the work of nonprofit organizations.
“I was drawn to AHCJ’s mission to improve access to high quality information and reporting on health-related topics through its support for journalists,” Morgan said. “I also loved how AHCJ work intersects with so many important issues of today, and I knew I would be honored to play a role in advancing AHCJ’s goals.”
Morgan received her master’s degree in social work administration from the University of Kansas and was also selected for the yearlong Central Exchange Emerging Leaders program for women in 2020. She was also an instructor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare for four years; she taught a graduate course on nonprofit financial management.
Her areas of expertise include fundraising, grants and contracts, organizational development, strategic planning, stewarding donor relationships, financial management and data-informed quality improvement.
In her free time, Morgan enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons, traveling, listening to audiobooks and exploring the outdoors.
