Melanie R. Sabelhaus is Senior Consultant for the firm. She has more than 30 years of successful small business, corporate, and nonprofit experience. She founded and served as chief executive officer of Exclusive Interim Properties. The company, after a merger, did an IPO and went public on the NASDAQ. It is one of the largest interim housing companies in the world. For 15 years prior to starting her own business, she served in a variety of management positions with the IBM Corporation.

Most recently, Melanie was Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. She served as second in command in managing an agency with more than 80 offices across the country.

Melanie has devoted her energy and passion for raising funds for many nonprofits. She has served as chair on numerous Boards including the United Way of Maryland. She chaired the Baltimore United Way Campaign.

Add to that the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Maryland, the Nantucket Historical Association, and the Women’s Leadership Board.

And there are more! There’s the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, the Foundation Board of Ohio University, Trustee of Johns Hopkins Health Systems, and Women’s Philanthropy Institute Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Melanie is Vice Chair of the National American Red Cross. She founded and organized the Tiffany Circle that has now raised over $100 million for the Red Cross. She twice co-chaired the National United Way’s Summit on Women in Philanthropy.

The Awards have been numerous. A few include: the 2002 Outstanding Fundraiser Award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals; the College of Notre Dame of Maryland’s Pro Urbe Award for her contributions to the community and as a successful small business entrepreneur; the Girl Scouts Outstanding Woman of the Year; and Ohio University’s School of Business Award for Achievement in Business.

She is also a recipient of the Artemis Award presented by the European-American Women’s Conference, and the Senator William Proxmire Award from the Copper Ridge Institute for her support of the model of care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. She gave the 2010 commencement address at Ohio University in 2010.

Melanie Sabelhaus brings an extraordinary background to the firm’s clients. There is a synergistic blend of her corporate work with her volunteer leadership. Her organizations will tell you of her energy, know how, and strategic planning. Best of all is her ability to motivate volunteers and staff.