Melissa DeRose joined St. Bonaventure University’s Advancement Team in September 2022. She is accomplished in development, fundraising, and event planning, with success in physician relations, talent acquisition, strategic planning, and marketing. Her career experience has primarily been in the healthcare field working with both major donors and physicians to ensure growth and sustainability for area healthcare.
Building relationships and networking with donors has been a true reward for Melissa. A resident of Olean, New York, since 2001, she has worked at both Olean General Hospital and Olean Medical Group (Kaleida Health of Buffalo affiliates). Melissa has recruited and on-boarded multiple physician specialties helping to increase clinical bandwidth for patients in the southern tier. Congruently, she has directed and supported known fundraising events; Girls Night Out, Golf to Fight Cancer, and Handbags for Hope have raised significant funds for the Olean General Hospital Foundation.
In addition to her professional career, Melissa is a member of the Olean Schools Foundation Board and the Le Moyne College Board of Regents (Governance Chair). A community volunteer, she has served on the Twin Tiers YMCA Board of Directors, the Olean Beautification Committee, and as an officer for the Holiday Valley Alpine Race Team. She has worked closely with the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation establishing scholarships and leading Giving Day for Olean Schools.
A native of Boonville, New York (affectionately known as the North Country), Melissa earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance in 1998 from Le Moyne College. She is a 2019 Leadership Cattaraugus graduate.
Melissa and her husband, Mike, reside in Olean and have three children: Caroline, Jack, and Molly.