Melissa Edwards

Melissa Edwards joined the First Five Years Fund as Operations Director and Chief of Staff in 2024. In this role, she provides strategic, analytical, and operational support to FFYF’s Executive Director, manages daily operations, develops and implements policies and procedures, oversees financial management, ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and collaborates with key stakeholders.

Previously, Edwards spent over a decade at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the 501c3 nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. There she led the operations team, overseeing core functions including budget, grant, and contract management, and served as primary liaison to Chamber shared services teams (finance, legal, HR, IT). Additionally, Edwards played an integral part in the implementation of a new strategic plan for the organization.

Edwards holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and a Master of Science in Business Analysis from the Catholic University of America. She lives in Maryland with her husband Brian and their two young daughters.