Senior Vice President of Finance
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress

Mel Sanders, CPA is the Senior Vice President of Finance at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. She received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University and two Masters’ degrees from Cleveland State University in Business and Accounting. While working full time as a Sr. Financial Analyst, she earned two Masters’ degrees and her CPA license. Mel has over 10 years of experience in non-profit accounting specializing in research, academics, fund accounting, grants management, and most recently community development.

Mel excels in understanding the importance of the intersectionality of finance, operations, and long-term planning while working with Board members and senior leadership to ensure the overall financial health of an organization. Mel enjoys working with members across an organization and takes pride in her work ethic. She is always willing to assist staff with understanding the complexities that often accompany managing the finances of a non-profit. She also enjoys taking on process improvement projects that increase operational efficiency by consistently exploring ways to work smarter, not harder.

Mel takes pride in being a “Social & Happy Accountant”. Most importantly Mel is a lifelong Cleveland native who enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, karaoke, baking cupcakes, and being a Bunny Mom to her birthday
twin Toffee.