Melinda Johnson

Melinda Johnson serves as a Major Gift Officer at Duquesne University, where she partners with alumni, parents, friends, and community supporters to advance the University's mission through philanthropy. She works closely with donors to align their charitable interests with opportunities that support student success, scholarships, academic excellence, research, and other institutional priorities that strengthen the Duquesne community. Johnson also advises individuals and families on a range of giving strategies, including both current and planned gifts.

 

With more than 25 years of fundraising experience, Johnson has built a career centered on connecting donors with meaningful opportunities to create lasting impact. Prior to joining Duquesne University, she held fundraising leadership positions at Carnegie Mellon University and several prominent cultural institutions, including the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and the Foundation for the National Archives. She earned both a Master of Arts Management and a Bachelor of Humanities and Arts from Carnegie Mellon University.

 

Johnson is a passionate advocate for higher education, drawing on her own experience as a student who relied on scholarships, work-study, and financial aid to pursue a college education. Those opportunities shaped her commitment to expanding access for future generations. She is dedicated to building enduring relationships with supporters and helping them create philanthropic legacies that will benefit Duquesne students for years to come.