Melissa Rowan

Melissa Rowan is the Assistant Vice President – Strategic Initiatives at Iowa State University. In this role, Melissa staffs the ISU Foundation’s board of directors, oversees operational implementation of the Foundation’s recently completed strategic plan and serves as the public information officer. Prior to this role, Melissa spent nearly twenty years in annual giving, with fifteen of those years in director, senior director and executive director roles.

Additionally, Melissa has served for more than 15 years as an annual giving consultant, helping non-profit clients of all sizes and purposes strive to reach their fundraising potential. She has participated as a conference chair and faculty member at several CASE (Council for the Advancement and Support of Education) and other higher education annual giving conferences, in addition to speaking at national conferences for organizations such as the League of American Orchestras and Volunteers of America.

Melissa graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in history and Florida State University with a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management.