Colleen Walsh Powell joined the NBSS development team in 2019, excited to connect donors with the impact of their support in our students’ lives, and the preservation and appreciation of craft and trade traditions. With more than 15 years of development experience working at institutions including Boston University, The Winsor School, and Emerson College, Colleen has worked on transformative fundraising campaigns in a variety of capacities—from annual and major giving, to events and alumni relations.
Colleen has a BA in English and philosophy from Santa Clara University, and a MA in Arts Administration from Boston University. Californian by birth, but a New Englander by nature, Colleen lives in Pepperell, MA with her husband and twin sons, where they enjoy tending apple trees, cross country skiing, hiking, and gardening.
Fun Fact
In her 20s, Colleen got to travel the world as a song-and-dance gal on cruise ships.
Melissa has twenty years’ experience working on foundation and government grants, as well as stewardship, primarily for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and NBSS. She joined North Bennet in 2015. Melissa is passionate about providing access to opportunity, improving lives and communities through education, and creative youth development. She volunteers for several organizations, including The Eliot School for Fine & Applied Arts, where she serves on the Advisory Council.
Fun Fact
Melissa lived and worked in Venice, Italy for five years before settling in the Boston area.
Nicki has been with the School since 2019, and has 5 years of experience in Development. Nicki has a BA in American Studies with a concentration in Museum Studies from Smith College. Prior to joining the Development team at NBSS, Nicki worked in public relations, research, and fundraising roles at museums including the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, the Smith College Museum of Art, and Historic Newton. At NBSS, Nicki maintains the donor database, creating a strong foundation for all of the fundraising success at the School.
