Melanie Mathewes

Melanie Mathewes joined the Wexner Center for the Arts in 2024 as the head of advancement. In her role, Mathewes serves as the head fundraiser for the center, leading all development and donor experience activities.

A seasoned arts and culture professional, Mathewes brings over 20 years of experience in museum operations, major gifts advancement, capital campaigns, and donor engagement strategies. Most recently, she served as assistant vice president for advancement, major gifts, at Shenandoah University. In this role, she successfully spearheaded numerous fundraising initiatives, fostering strong relationships with donors and significantly contributing to the university’s growth. 

Before her tenure at Shenandoah University, Mathewes held key positions at the National Sporting Library & Museum, Hermitage Museum & Garden, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Museum of the Southwest, and Agecroft Hall & Gardens. Throughout her career, Mathewes has demonstrated a deep passion for community engagement, consistently working towards enhancing public access to the arts.