Kristin Melville

The WCA Foundation board of directors has hired Kristin Melville as its new executive director.

Melville, a Jamestown native, has more than a decade of experience in fundraising and executive leadership. She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia and Jamestown Community College. She received advanced fundraising training in Major Gifts, Planned Giving, and Capital Campaigns through the Veritus Group, a national fundraising school for executives.

“The WCA Foundation Board is pleased to welcome Kristin,” said Jim Pullan Jr., foundation board president. “Her extensive experience in fundraising, executive leadership and knowledge of the community will benefit patient care. We look forward to her leadership, especially at a time when philanthropic support is needed the most.”

Melville has worked as the president of development in the healthcare industry in Maine where she led successful fundraising campaigns in the completion of capital projects resulting in $50 million in fundraising revenues. She recently completed a new hospice administration and bereavement center in southern Maine. She served as the director of development and community relations at Androscoggin Home Healthcare — Hospice; Hospice of Southern Maine, The Salvation Army – Northern New England Division, and Maine Health hospitals.

She is an accomplished writer in health care philanthropy and business publications. As a consultant, she has conducted training in donor solicitation, capital campaign assessments, annual campaigns, and donor recognition.

She is a former mentor with Senator Olympia Snow’s Women’s Leadership Institute; a member of the Maine Women’s Fund, Planned Giving Council of Maine, Association of Fundraising Professionals, National Hospice and Palliative Care Association, National Council on Planned Giving, and the New England Association of Healthcare Philanthropy.

“I am delighted to return to my hometown and to support the healthcare needs of our communities in Chautauqua County,” Melville said. “The WCA Foundation’s philanthropic support has improved healthcare through the purchase of vital medical equipment at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center Chautauqua (UPMC), supporting patient care close to home. Caring for patients where they live is important for both patients and their families. Patients have much better health outcomes when they receive expert care close to home. I grew up in Jamestown. My mother was a surgical nurse at WCA Hospital for 30 years and my dad was a Jamestown police officer. Both knew the importance of living and working in the community they cherished.”

Melville will live in Jamestown with her husband, a retired civil service administrator. She will begin the position today.

The WCA Foundation is a 501 c3 not-for-profit supporting foundation to UPMC Chautauqua. It is independent from the hospital. All donations to the Foundation stay in Jamestown, as well as grant awards to the hospital. FMI: Visit wcafoudationjamestown.org. Offices are located at 51 Glasgow Avenue, Bldg. F, PO Box 840, Jamestown, NY 14701-0840.