Melinda L. Wright

Melinda is Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and leads Cambridge Associates’ global efforts to increase diverse representation both internally and industry-wide, drive the firm’s agenda on talent planning and leadership development, and further integrate the organization’s DEI work across the business. As a member of CA’s Leadership Team and Global DEI Council, Melinda supports business leads in building a stronger, more inclusive culture and in establishing key benchmarks for DEI, including corporate and social responsibility goals.

Melinda recently participated in the McKinsey Fellowship for Black Executives and in 2015 was a recipient of the Triangle Business Journal’s Diverse Leaders Awards. Prior to joining Cambridge, Melinda was Senior Vice President of Alumni Diversity at Teach For America where she spearheaded the launch of their first ever alumni of color association. Melinda led diversity efforts at the Westminster School, a 9th-12th grade boarding school, where she also served as Associate Director of Admissions and Director of Student Life. An avid lacrosse enthusiast, Melinda also served as Head Coach of Howard University’s women’s lacrosse team.

Most recently Melinda was a Senior Program Officer for the K-12 Education team at the Walton Family Foundation where she focused on collaborative philanthropy, funder networks, and donor engagement through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this capacity, Melinda partnered to launch a $100M philanthropic initiative to increase diverse representation and address funding gaps historically faced by underrepresented groups.

Melinda holds a JD/MA from George Washington University and a BA from Cornell University. She also earned a certificate from Oxford University for summer study of International Human Rights Law.