WILMINGTON – DANA, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, announced Tuesday that it has hired its next leader, promoting one of its longest-tenured staff members to the role.
Melissa Hopkins, who most recently served as DANA’s executive vice president and chief external affairs officer, has assumed the role of DANA chief executive officer. She began her new position on June 1.
DANA Board Chair Kathleen Hawkins said that Hopkins’ years of experience working in Delaware’s nonprofit sector – including the past nine years with DANA – made her an ideal person to lead the alliance as it begins its fifth decade of serving the community.
“Melissa has been a trusted and respected leader in the nonprofit community for more than a decade. She is an extremely thoughtful, empathetic and effective advocate who has produced results at every level during her time with DANA,” Hawkins said. “We are fortunate to have her as part of the team, and the board is elated to recognize her contributions by entrusting her with leading DANA into the future. We are excited to see what’s to come with Melissa at the helm.”
Hopkins joined DANA in 2017 and brings a long career in public and community service, including roles with New Castle County, the State of Delaware and Rodel Foundation of Delaware. She has also volunteered with the YMCA’s Youth in Government program for more than a decade.
As EVP, Hopkins has grown DANA membership statewide by 40% since 2018 and helped secure nearly $2 million in public investment, including a federal award and state appropriations supporting workforce development and nonprofit capacity building.
In assuming the new role as CEO, Hopkins said her primary goal is that DANA continues to evolve as the trusted statewide voice, advocate, and convener for nonprofits while ensuring the alliance remains financially strong, strategically focused, and responsive to the needs of the sector.
“DANA has a strong legacy of serving and strengthening Delaware’s nonprofit community, and I am honored to lead the organization into its next chapter,” Hopkins said. “As nonprofits face increasingly complex challenges, DANA has an opportunity to bring organizations, funders, policymakers, and community partners together around shared solutions that strengthen our communities and amplify nonprofit impact.
“By listening closely to our members, investing in high-value programs and partnerships, and maintaining a focus on long-term sustainability, we can position DANA and the sector we serve for continued growth and success.
“I believe the future of DANA is one of collaboration, innovation, and impact; as an organization that not only responds to the needs of today’s nonprofit leaders, but one that also helps shape a stronger future for Delaware’s nonprofit sector and the communities it serves.”
In addition to her duties with DANA, Hopkins founded and has led an affiliated 501(c)(4) organization, Delaware Nonprofit Action Network, which has allowed DANA to engage with elected officials in a different capacity.
Hopkins succeeds Sheila Bravo, who led the alliance for more than 10 years before leaving in April. In the lead-up to Bravo’s departure, DANA’s board of directors enlisted an executive search firm to assist in the search for a new CEO.
###
