About Melanie Bates
Born into a close-knit Polish Catholic family, Melanie Bates has long been committed to the betterment of our community. Bates has served as a member of the Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education since 2002. She previously served on the State Board of Education from 1995-2001.
A Cincinnati resident all her adult life, Bates attended Xavier University and was admitted to their MBA program where she studied finance, accounting and management. She was then selected as the first female graduate to serve on the Alumni Board of Governors. Her children Emma, Jonathan and Griffin are graduates of Cincinnati Public Schools; she has two grandsons attending a CPS school.
Professionally, Bates is retired as a Hospital Development Liaison at the LifeCenter Organ Donor Network. She held an academic appointment to the Advisory Committee Member of the Master of Public Administration Program at Northern Kentucky University until 2018.
She has served in various community leadership positions including the Xavier University Alumni Board of Governors (1981-1983); Cincinnati East Soccer Association for Youth Board (1988-2006); Cincinnatians Active to Support Education (1996-present); the Mayerson Academy Board of Trustees (2002-2003); the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative Board of Trustees (2004-2006); and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission (2017-present).
Bates is a member of the Council of Great City Schools, the CGCS Board of Directors, the Council of Urban Boards of Education, and the Ohio School Boards Association. She has been recognized with the Leading Women of Greater Cincinnati Award (1999) and the Pinnacle Honor Society (2004), awarded to Northern Kentucky University graduate students.
In 2020, she serves on the Board of Education's Finance Committee and Health and Safety Committee.
Committees and Board Appointments
Years of Service
2002-2020
Vice President: 2017, 2016, 2009, 2007
