Melani A. Walton
Co-founder
Rob and Melani Walton Foundation
As a philanthropist, Melani Walton is committed to efforts on a local, national, and global scale. With her studies in Art History and background as a K-12 Educator, real estate specialist, multi-sport clinician, and Collegiate All-American in basketball and track & field, she brings a diverse skill set to the philanthropic arena. Melani is passionate about supporting research and innovation in the areas of education, arts and humanities, brain health, consciousness studies, well-being, conservation and sustainability.
Melani serves and has served on a number of boards and committees, including: Arizona State University’s (ASU) Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives at GIOS, ASU’s Women and Philanthropy, 2013-2015 Co-Chair; the Arizona Women’s Board; Arizona Science Center Board and their Learning Committee Co-Chair, and the Galaxy Gala ‘Believe’ 2014 Co-Chair; Co-Creator of the Walton Optimal Neurological Discovery Education and Research (W.O.N.D.E.R.) Center; Arizona Foundation for Women’s Sandra Day O’Connor 2013 luncheon co-chair; The Phoenix Symphony Board, and B-Sharp W.O.N.D.E.R Project, 2014 Sound of Speed Co-Chair; The Phoenix Theatre’s Partners that Heal W.O.N.D.E.R Project; The Phoenix Children’s Hospital Board and Circle of Care Chair; Society of St Vincent de Paul Advisory Board; The Aspen Brain Forum; The Nature Conservancy; Conservation International; Foundation for Living Medicine; African Parks and she is a member of the National Association of Professional Women and the Arizona Women’s Forum. The Foundation is also supportive of the Rob and Melani Walton Urban Farm at St Vincent de Paul, Rob and Melani Walton Campus of Liberty Wildlife, and the Walton Fellows for Conservation International. In honor of the couple’s efforts in conservation, The Nature Conservancy has dedicated the Rob and Melani Walton Nature Preserve in Northwest Arkansas.