Melinda Garcia Metz

Coordinator of Donor Engagement
Institutional Advancement Division

Melinda Garcia Metz is a dedicated and passionate individual who has made a significant impact in various roles throughout her career.

Melinda’s professional journey began as a fundraising professional for two political campaigns.  She next joined the City of Columbus as the Deputy Director and Public Affairs Manager in the Office of Education. She crafted strategic messages and program-based communications, ensuring that the city’s initiatives were effectively communicated to external audiences. Melinda’s tireless efforts resulted in securing over $25 million in funding for city programs, including Capital Kids, the Columbus Vacant Housing program, Get Green Columbus, and the Summer Youth Employment initiative.

Melinda later served as the Mayor’s Policy Advisor and a Public Information Officer for the City of Columbus. As the youngest policy advisor in the city’s history, she provided strategic consultation to the administration, while representing the mayor and the mayor’s office in various community forums and on the boards of prominent community organizations. Melinda led the creation of programs serving thousands today such as the Neighborhood Safety Academies, a groundbreaking safety education program that brought together talent from across the city to educate communities on safety-related topics.

Melinda’s also served as the Director of Internal and External Correspondence at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. She effectively relayed the attorney general’s vision to stakeholders through various communication channels, including talking points, op-ed articles, and bulk correspondence. Melinda’s dedication resulted in the successful revival of the Veterans Affairs Council and improved communication with military families through a dedicated website.

Melinda continued her career in public service as the Public Relations Manager and Executive Assistant to the Sheriff at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. She established the Community Relations Charitable Fund, which enabled tax-deductible donations to support the functions of the Office. Additionally, Melinda played a pivotal role in redefining the Internal Office Correspondence (IOC) official chain, and establishing the first regular newsletter for the office.

Melinda next built relationships with the older adult population, increasing their participation in volunteer activities at HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties.  She also managed a project that won the National USA Today Make a Difference Day award on behalf of the agency.

Melinda most recently played a vital role in raising awareness of SourcePoint and its services. Through her efforts, health care referrals increased by a staggering 300%, and in-home care referrals and enrichment center memberships rose significantly within just 18 months. She also introduced the use of maps and data in outreach efforts, a first for the agency.

Melinda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social & Behavioral Sciences from The Ohio State University, and she has expanded her knowledge through certifications including; Certified Dementia Practitioner, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, and National Incident Management Systems Planning.

Outside of her professional achievements, Melinda is deeply committed to community involvement. She has served on the board of the Columbus Chapter of the American Marketing Association and is an active member of the Olentangy Lions Club. Melinda has also played key roles in organizations such as Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland and the Ohio Community Financial Education Board.