Melonie Tharpe

A native of Atlanta, Melonie brings experience from a number of local and international nonprofits, including EARTH University and most recently Sustainable Atlanta. She spent several years as a consultant for small nonprofits and social enterprises, helping to develop program strategies on topics such as sustainable agriculture, job creation, and education. Projects span the globe including Costa Rica, Ethiopia and South Africa, giving her an international frame in supporting locally-based work.

Currently she serves as the Director of Programs & Strategy for the Center for Civic Innovation. In this role she has designed an accelerator program for small food-based organizations and businesses, created hundreds of events on local issues, and grown an advocacy platform for the organization.

She has volunteered with community-driven organizations such as Community Farmers Markets, Georgia Organics, Code for Atlanta, and Wonderroot Arts Center and also served with global social enterprise groups such as SOCAP and Atlanta+Acumen. Melonie earned her B.A. in Political Science and Anthropology from Georgia State University and a Master in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from George Mason University.