Melody Timinsky is a Public Affairs doctoral student at The University of Texas at Dallas. She has extensive strategic operations and leadership experience in both for-profit and nonprofit environments. An MBA graduate from The University of Dallas, she has worked across diverse industries including high tech, consumer package goods, air transportation, education, the arts and human services. Most recently, she held leadership positions in the nonprofit sector, including as President/CEO of Volunteers of America Texas and Chief Operating Officer of Big Thought. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Nonprofit CEO Council and Dallas Afterschool. Melody served nine years on the Plano ISD School Board and was honored by the Texas Legislature for her service and commitment to high-quality public education. Through her volunteer experiences, including mission trips to India, Nicaragua and Mexico, she has cultivated a passion for creating education and empowerment opportunities for women and children. After graduation, Melody looks forward to applying the advocacy and policy development skills learned in the Graduate Program in Public Policy to a continued career in creating positive social impact.