Melissa Fenton

Melissa Fenton is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in both the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Council of Urban Professionals (CUP), she specializes in fundraising, finance, operations, strategic planning, and communications. Her career has been dedicated to supporting underserved communities and developing sustainable business models for long-term success.12

Professional Background

Fenton has held various senior executive roles, including:

• Executive Director of City Lights Youth Theatre
• Chief Development & Communications Officer at Bronx Prep Charter School
• Director of Individual Giving at the New-York Historical Society

She also worked as a Principal Strategy Consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she assisted Fortune 500 companies with strategy and financial forecasting. Notably, she played a key role in the merger between Pricewaterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand.13

Education

Melissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Psychology from Williams College and an MBA in Strategy and Organizational Behavior from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Additionally, she completed a Leadership Certificate at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business in 2022.1

Community Engagement

Fenton is actively involved in various community initiatives. She has expanded CUP's network to over 18,000 members across New York and Los Angeles and has initiated an annual three-day summit in Martha’s Vineyard focusing on investment management and entrepreneurship. She co-leads the CUP NY Fellows Program and engages with alumni for leadership development.1

Awards and Recognition

In 2022, she received the Pillar Leadership Award from the National Black MBA Association for her commitment to enhancing access and resources for black professionals. She has also been honored with the Phat Friends Award for her contributions to youth development.1

Personal Interests

Beyond her professional commitments, Melissa is also a singer and resides in New York City.1