NOTABLE ROLES
Co-Executive Director, CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia
2023–2026
Launched a new co-leadership model for an organization providing equitable access to management resources for the makers and preservers of culture. Led the fiscal sponsorship program to provide nonprofit management for 90+ artists, community leaders, and social entrepreneurs. Oversaw finance, fundraising, operations, legal/compliance, internal systems and policies, intake and onboarding, and organizational strategy.
Key accomplishments:
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Facilitated a year-long policy overhaul process to clarify, simplify, and visualize the complex fiscal sponsorship policy manual.
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Built a new communications platform in Notion for user-friendly access to the manual, key documents, and other resources.
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Prioritized community-building and a member-driven mindset through an annual Member Summit, cohort-based check-ins, and improvements to internal communications.
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Created the Lightning Round, a collective fundraising campaign for fiscally sponsored organizations.
Executive Director, LiveConnections
2011–2020
Led a music nonprofit creating culturally relevant educational programs and songwriting residencies for Philly schools, as well as producing a cross-genre concert series featuring local talent and internationally renowned musicians. Led the organization from start-up phase through significant growth, building infrastructure, developing audiences and partnerships, and expanding programming, marketing, and fundraising. Spearheaded major initiatives such as "A Song Everyone Can Sing," a multifaceted two-year project focused on disability access within choral singing, as well as the launch of the Philadelphia Lullaby Project in partnership with Carnegie Hall.
founder & principal.
Melinda Steffy
Melinda Steffy (she/her) founded Concentric Strategy LLC in 2020. She loves when creative practice and social impact collide, and her 20+ year career in the nonprofit sector has been shaped by her perspective as an artist and educator. She brings innate creativity and nimbleness to her work, making complex ideas come to life through careful process, attention to detail, and abundant empathy.
Melinda previously served as Co-Executive Director of CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia, Executive Director of LiveConnections, and held positions at The Music School of Delaware, SteegeThomson Communications, and Woodland Montessori School, among others. She is an ensemble member and board member of the Chestnut Street Singers and she maintains an active visual art practice. Melinda has an MFA in painting from the University of the Arts and a bachelor's degree from Eastern Mennonite University. She is a 2026 LeadLab cohort member, Leadership Philadelphia alum, and Standards for Excellence Pennsylvania Licenced Consultant.
our clients.
Since our founding in 2020, we have provided strategy and communications services for nonprofit organizations in the arts and culture, education, environment, human services, philanthropy, and social justice sectors.
Our clients have included:
In collaboration with Masters Group Design, we have also provided content strategy, copywriting, and name concepting services for clients including Bryn Mawr College's performing arts series, Equity Arc, FringeArts, Live and Learn, and several small business owners, among others.
“Comprehensive and thoughtful ... I walked in distracted by the constant, painful world noise, but the deliverables and tangible next steps are extremely energizing and create a path forward worth following.”
—Philadelphia Robotics Coalition
IMAGE: Melinda Steffy speaking at an event.
Photo by Conrad Erb Photography.
Headshot above by KD Morris Photography.