Park University Raises Melissa Ford to the Position of Chief Advancement Officer
Park University Appoints Melissa Ford as Chief Advancement Officer
Melissa Ford has been named the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) at Park University, effective from December 1, 2023. Ford joined Park University as the Associate Vice President for Advancement in August 2023.
Ford brings nearly two decades of experience in fundraising for Kansas City nonprofits to her new role. She has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to cultivate donors and has a proven track record of success.
In her role as CAO, Ford will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies. Her responsibilities include growing the advancement program through various channels like annual giving, alumni relations, corporate and foundation relations, capital campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, stewardship, advancement services, and special events.
Ford's extensive experience in the sciences, which she earned from her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance from Oklahoma City University, will prepare her to lead advancement efforts at Park University. Prior to joining Park University, Ford served as the Director of Philanthropic Giving for the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Missouri - Kansas City. She also served as the Executive Director for the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America for more than five years.
Ford has been actively involved in the community, serving as a Girl Scouts troop leader and a member of the Kansas City Young Matrons. She has also served as the President of the Kansas City Ballet Guild's Board of Directors in 2022-23.
Ford will work closely with the University's Board of Trustees and the Park University International Center for Music Foundation Board. Shane Smeed, the President of Park University, stated that Ford has the necessary skills for the role and is confident that she will further strengthen philanthropic support in support of faculty and student endeavors.
Notably, Nathan Marticke, who previously held the position of CAO at Park University, has left for a position at AdventHealth Kansas City Foundation.
Some of the nonprofits Ford has worked with include the Kansas City Ballet, Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri, and United WE. Ford's appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience to Park University's advancement efforts.
Melissa Ford's extensive background in fundraising for Kansas City nonprofits and her role as Executive Director for the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America might translate effectively into career-development opportunities within the political arena or general-news sectors, alongside her continued education-and-self-development and commitment to community service. Ford's notable achievements in advancement programs at the University of Missouri - Kansas City and Park University demonstrate a promising potential to further develop these skills in her new role as Chief Advancement Officer at Park University, focusing on career-development opportunities for faculty and students.
