Melissa Hendricks is the foundation director for Centers for Youth and Families and is currently serving her second year as chair of the Little Rock Port Authority Board of Directors. Prior to her current position, she served as the Director of Development at Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family Services.

Serving Arkansas since 1884, the Centers for Youth & Families Foundation plays an integral role in ensuring that the children and families in its care receive the best services available. Since the inception of The Foundation, it has helped to support the needs of The Centers Prevention, Intervention and Treatment Services through enhanced patient care, education and outreach.

Melissa is a Certified Fundraising Executive and past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Arkansas chapter. In 2015, she was recognized as the Outstanding Fundraising Professional by AFP-Arkansas. Her previous development experience includes positions at Pulaski Technical College, Centers for Youth and Families and St. Vincent Foundation.

Melissa is a graduate of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership program and a past Arkansas Business 40 under 40 honoree. She was appointed in 2011 to her first term on the Little Rock Port Authority Board of Directors and reappointed in 2014. Since, she served as vice chair before being elected chair in 2018 and reelected in 2019.

She earned her undergraduate in journalism/public relations from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and a graduate degree in journalism from University of Arkansas-Little Rock.