Jeanne Melino

Executive Director

Jeanne leads the Foundation team in its mission to inspire giving across all sectors. She oversees all operations and grant-making decisions. As the first Executive Director of the Foundation, Jeanne built out the team, assisted in creating the Foundation’s public-facing assets, and helped define the mission. Following the Cohens’ philosophy that their giving be personal and strategic, she maintains close relationships with the organization’s grantees. Prior to joining the Foundation, Jeanne was an executive vice president of Innovative Philanthropy, a philanthropic consulting firm. She refocused her career on corporate and foundation relations and charitable consulting after more than 10 years as a practicing attorney. Jeanne began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney, prosecuting felony crimes in New York’s Westchester and Suffolk Counties. She then joined the law firm of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP, and went on to become a partner at Cozen O’Connor. Jeanne is also Point72’s Chief Inclusion & Engagement Officer. She received her B.A. from Manhattan College and her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Jeanne is admitted to practice law in New York State and the U.S District Court, Southern District of New York. She is a board member of Domus.