New leadership joins as organization launches strategic vision for the charitable sector and its workforce.
(WASHINGTON, October 29, 2024) – Independent Sector today announced the hiring of three new vice presidents at the national membership organization for nonprofits and philanthropy. Jennifer Mellen, Dr. Rashid Mosley, and Andrea Risotto will lead the organization’s institutional advancement, programming, and communications on behalf of the charitable sector.
“This is an exciting new chapter for Independent Sector as we begin implementing our new strategic vision to ensure charitable organizations are robust; powered by a thriving workforce; trusted, well governed, and effective; and informed and active advocates,” said Independent Sector President and CEO Dr. Akilah Watkins. “I look forward to working with these three outstanding leaders as we build a charitable sector that helps all people in the United States thrive in a vibrant civil society and just democracy.”
Jennifer Mellen, vice president of institutional advancement, will lead the design and implementation of Independent Sector’s fundraising and development strategy. In this role, Mellen brings more than 20 years of nonprofit fundraising expertise, with deep experience in foundation relations, major gifts, corporate partnerships, program management, and strategic planning. Previously, Mellen led the development team at Human Rights First, where she worked with individuals, foundations, corporations, and state and local governments to support the organization’s international human rights portfolio. She also served as the managing director of development and later as the managing director of programs and external relations for Truman Center for National Policy and Truman National Security Project. She previously worked in development at PAI in support of global reproductive rights, and in the executive office of VSA arts, an international arts and disability organization. Mellen holds a Bachelor of Science in arts management from Shenandoah University.
Dr. Rashid Mosley (Dr. Ra), vice president of programs, will lead Independent Sector’s program strategy, development, implementation, and evaluation. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Mosley empowers change agents and actively fosters an equitable and just society by equipping practitioners, researchers, and policymakers with evidence-based solutions from the public and social sectors.
Previously, Mosley worked at the Urban Institute in the Research to Action Lab and the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, where he developed and implemented the strategic vision for social sector innovation programs. Before his tenure at the Urban Institute, he served as the faculty director for adult and organizational learning programs at Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies, as the national managing director for foundation relations and community engagement for the American Diabetes Association, and as the community engagement director for United Way in Cobb County at United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. Mosley holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Savannah State University, a master’s degree in leadership from Central Michigan University, and a doctorate in human and organizational learning from The George Washington University.
Andrea Risotto, vice president of communications, will lead, develop, and execute Independent Sector’s communication and public relations strategy to amplify the organization’s mission and impact. For two decades, Risotto has designed and implemented communications and outreach strategies to improve public policy and engage citizens in the U.S. and around the world. Before joining Independent Sector, she served as chief communications officer at the Brookings Institution, overseeing communications for the organization and its research experts. Previously, Risotto was the head of communications for the NDC Partnership, a global coalition of over 200 countries and institutions dedicated to implementing national commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. From 2013 to 2016, Risotto directed communications for The Pew Charitable Trusts’ global project to support countries in creating large, protected areas of ocean, resulting in the conservation of 3.6 million square kilometers of ocean.
During the Great Recession, Andrea was the housing and foreclosure spokesperson at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. She was also the inaugural communications lead for former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s Office of Financial Empowerment, the first city government initiative in the U.S. focused on anti-poverty and financial empowerment for low-income families. Additionally, she spent four years at the U.S. Department of Education. Andrea holds a master’s degree in Latin American studies from American University and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
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Independent Sector is the only national membership organization that brings together a diverse community of changemakers at nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs to ensure all people in the United States thrive. Learn more at independentsector.org.
Media Contact: Nina Ford, media@independentsector.org, 202-467-6113
