Melanese Z. Coakley - McKenzie
Nassau,NP
Summary
Results-oriented professional with expertise in Fundraising Management and a solid background in administrative operations, donor engagement, and volunteer coordination. Skilled in prospect management and development strategies, utilizing data-driven methods to achieve fundraising objectives. International experience with The Salvation Army Bahamas Division enhances cross-cultural communication and adaptability. Demonstrated success in supporting impactful initiatives and streamlining processes for community-focused outreach.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Assistant – Executive Office
Bahamas National Trust
05.2024 - Current
- Prepare reports, memos, invoices letters, and other documents.
- Manage communication of the CEO, including screening and routing calls and taking accurate messages.
- Reviewing incoming communication, submissions, and distributing them as needed, including rerouting to other managers
- Filing and retrieving executive records, documents, and reports.
- Prepare documents for review and presentation to by the Executive Director to boards of directors, committees, and executives.
- Assist with preparation for meetings accurately prepare minutes from Council & Executive meetings
- Reading and analyzing incoming reports, memos, submissions, and distributing them as needed.
- Prepare travel arrangements and associated expense reports for the CEO
- Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
- Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
- Provided professional administrative support during board meetings, including agenda preparation and minute-taking duties.
Donor Relations Officer
Bahamas National Trust
01.2023 - 05.2024
- Design, implement, and coordinate a systematic and integrated donor relations program that fosters long-term engagement and investment from individuals, foundations, and corporations
- Initiate and cultivate relationships with new and existing donors with the goal of repeat/annual giving, multi-year pledges for sustainable funding, and legacy planning through the planned giving program
- Develop and manage donor awareness and education through communications strategies that illustrate the impact of their gifts on BNT programs, projects, and organizational growth
- Work alongside BNT staff to create and implement unique experiences in national parks for donors and prospects to engage in projects and programs of the organization
- Actively participate in the development and coordination of fundraising events and volunteer opportunities
- Oversee a Corporate Partnership Program that is tailored to individual companies Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals that seeks to retain annual philanthropic gifts from corporations
- Manage the organization’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) donor database, ensuring it is consistently updated, and accurate for record-keeping and reporting
- Lead gift acknowledgment processes for individuals, foundations, corporations, and all other donors
- Identify, develop, and oversee donor recognition opportunities
- Plan, coordinate, and manage a wide range of donor cultivation events and opportunities, to support the BNT’s major gift campaign strategies
- Support the cultivation of international donors and understand the process of accepting and acknowledging monetary gifts in the United States and Canada through relevant funds
- Engage professional legal services to accept gifts of land or other assets in The Bahamas, United State
- Led team reporting of donor engagement through E-Tapestry software
Community Relations & Development Associate
Salvation Army Bahamas & Turks Caicos Division
07.2014 - 12.2022
- Managed special projects for Executive Team /Board Members
- Created, Managed & Implemented a COVID-19 Feeding Program serving over 6,000 families
- Public Relations Liaison – International Emergency Operations – Hurricane Dorian
- Volunteer / Donor Management - Disaster, Relief & Recovery, Restoration Services
- Lead developing strategies for approaching new donors, cultivating current donors and identifying new donors for special programs/ capital campaigns
- Lead donor base management and maintenance
- Research and analysis of program effective for constituents
- Manage Volunteer Teams/ Groups to meet organizational/ program goals
- Manage the creation of major appeals for program support for Social Services Programs
- Assisted in creating programs to meet the needs of constituents of organization meeting benchmarks as outlined.
- Ensure the highest level of client service is given to donor/ volunteers as needed
- Prepare and review all media kits to ensure quality assurance
- Plan, organize and coordinate all activities for special events, campaigns including annual events throughout the division
Director, Groups
Bahamas Harvest Church
03.2012 - 06.2013
- Strategically lead and plan for Community, Small, Care, and Life Groups within Bahamas Harvest Church. Directed, developed; and implement programs and events for a 600+ member organization
- Lead a seven-member volunteer strategic team managing multiple programs/projects.
- Purpose is to execute mandate of facilitating growth as it takes place within the organization.
- Additionally, lead the recruitment and training process of all assigned volunteers for the various areas within Groups.
Administrative Assistant I
The College of the Bahamas -Graduate Programmes Office
11.2009 - 12.2011
- The Graduate Programmes Office offered Master Programs for ten years in the areas of Education, Social Sciences and Business. I supported the Director, Graduate Programmes at the senior administration level on all operational, administrative and ad hoc duties as outlined by the President’s Office.
- Delivered excellent customer service through prompt responses to client inquiries, addressing concerns effectively, and building strong relationships.
Executive Assistant
Nassau Airport Development Company, (NAD) Com.Development. & Marketing
06.2007 - 11.2009
- Nassau Airport Development an airport management company responsible for upgrading and transforming Lynden Pindling International Airport into a world class facility specific to operations, concessions, service and quality.
- Further, supported the Vice Presidents of Commercial Development and Marketing & Communications within administration, operations, marketing, public relations and concessionaire development.
Customer Service- Airport Operation
JetBlue Airways Airline, Nassau Station
08.2004 - 05.2007
- JetBlue Airways a US based airline located in Nassau, The Bahamas. JetBlue Airways is known for its’ quality customer service and low air fares. I was employed in the areas of airport operations, ground security and baggage for the award-winning airline by J.D. Powers.
Education
MBA - Leadership & Sustainability
Robert Kennedy College
Zurich 01.2026
Fundraising Management
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto 05.2013
Skills
- Business administration
- Time management
- Team leadership
- Donor Stewardship
- Relationship building
- Interpersonal communication
Certification
- Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) 11/2008
- Bahama Host Graduate – Professional Business Persons Category
References
Furnished Upon Request
Accomplishments
- Fundraising Management, Community Relations & Development
- Identified, cultivated, and solicited individual/corporate partners
- Prepared goals and benchmarks implementing development plans.
- Developed donor prospecting and fundraising strategies increasing giving.
- Developed case statement, marketing campaigns for charitable organizations.
- Identified critical needs of Social Services Program and including in daily messaging
- Collaborate with team to raise awareness of the Initiative and the opportunities for donors to invest
- Lead Annual Fundraising initiative to meet operational goals - $50K - $500K
- Lead fundraising for Disaster & Recovery Needs – $2.5 Million
- Administration Operations & Volunteer Management
- Prepared annual budget for department.
- Prepared Monthly & Annual Report for organization
- Monitored division budgets in excess of $ 1 Million
- Manage – Social Services & Hurricane Disaster Special Programs
- Managed programs/ projects at various stages simultaneously.
- Supervised staff and onboard volunteers and assessed need for volunteers.
- Trained, mentored and coached volunteers for multidiscipline positions.
- Consulted and work with Board on highly sensitive and timely matters
- Established committees and design concrete objectives and activities for volunteers.
- Worked directly with the Executives/Board Members daily to achieve program/organizational goals
- Communication/ Writing
- Acted as liaison for stakeholders at various levels
- Wrote proposals, grants, reports, letters and press releases
- PC Database Management & Development (Gift works, Raiser’s Edge, Donor Pro)
- Implemented, managed and evaluated programs for long term stability
- Actively promoted programs in the community. Representative for community-at-large
- Served as the key liaison for internal and external constituents providing information as needed
- Coordinated the branding of marketing material to ensure quality assurance in multiple streams i.e. web, print, radio, social media
Affiliations
- Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) 2023 – Present
- E-Global Membership
- African American Development Officers Network (AADO) 2025 Member
Timeline
Executive Assistant – Executive Office
Bahamas National Trust
05.2024 - Current
Donor Relations Officer
Bahamas National Trust
01.2023 - 05.2024
Community Relations & Development Associate
Salvation Army Bahamas & Turks Caicos Division
07.2014 - 12.2022
Director, Groups
Bahamas Harvest Church
03.2012 - 06.2013
Administrative Assistant I
The College of the Bahamas -Graduate Programmes Office
11.2009 - 12.2011
Executive Assistant
Nassau Airport Development Company, (NAD) Com.Development. & Marketing
06.2007 - 11.2009
Customer Service- Airport Operation
JetBlue Airways Airline, Nassau Station
08.2004 - 05.2007
MBA - Leadership & Sustainability
Robert Kennedy College
Fundraising Management
Toronto Metropolitan University
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