Board Member/Foundation Board 2nd Vice President

Melinda Brown-Gonzalez, has a background in PR and Advertising and has worked in various areas of the industry which included being the Public Relations Director for the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) where she spearheaded a Public Awareness campaign with the late champ Muhammad Ali. Melinda traveled to D.C. with Ali on numerous occasions and testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee where the duo was successful in garnering more research funds for Parkinson’s disease.  

 

In 2003, Melinda co-founded one of the first e-based gift certificate services, called GiveFun.com which she and her partner later sold to a publicly traded company in 2007.
 
Today, Melinda is committed to making a difference in the lives of others and is involved in a number of Charitable and Arts Organizations. Melinda’s involvement includes: Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Nicklaus Childrens Hospital, Over-Town Youth Center (OYC), United Way Woman’s Leadership, and United Way Tocqueville Society.  Melinda and her husband Jorge have chaired United Way’s Veritage Event three consecutive years.

 

Melinda is proud to support several children in five different countries for more than a decade through World Vision and Compassion International.  

 

Melinda is in her 10th year of enrollment in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) International and is long time member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Spousal Forum where she has served as Moderator and Day Chair for events.  
 
Melinda is married to Jorge J. Gonzalez who is the CEO and President of City National Bank. Together they have teenage boy/girl twins, Jordan and Ella.