THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES NAMES MELANIE MASTERS BURZYNSKI AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

One of 11 library systems nationwide selected in Carnegie’s “Libraries as Pillars of Education and
Democracy” initiative

(Los Angeles, CA – April 27, 2020) The Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) today announced Melanie Masters Burzynski as the new Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs. This role is part of the executive leadership team and oversees strategic advancement program planning and development for the Foundation, reporting directly to Library Foundation President Ken Brecher. Beginning May 2020, she succeeds longtime development executive Rebecca Shehee, who retired in February 2020 after holding the post for nine years.

“We are delighted to have Melanie Burzynski join us as the Senior Vice President of the Library Foundation. Her distinguished track record and wide range of experience will inform the Foundation’s support for the Los Angeles Public Library,” says Brecher.

Burzynski will help guide the Library Foundation as they raise funds to support essential programs of the Los Angeles Public Library, including Live Homework Help, a program that gives any teen with a library card and access to the internet a free professional online tutor; the Your Author Series, which connects children with their favorite authors and illustrators both in-person and through digital platforms; and Teens Leading Change, in which civic-minded teens create and execute their own community-focused projects.

Burzynski comes to the LFLA from UCLA’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, where she served as the Senior Executive Director of Development since January 2019. She oversaw the external affairs team, which raised over $110M more than the $250 million goal, supporting students, faculty, and programs as part of the Centennial Campaign.

Prior to UCLA Samueli, Burzynski was the Senior Executive Director for Scholarships and Student Support Initiatives at UCLA from 2016–2019, increasing campus wide student support from $160M to over $500M over three years. She was with UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital from 2014–16 and preceding that spent seven years as a Senior Director of Development at the University of Michigan. Burzynski has a BFA from Ohio University.

About the Library Foundation of Los Angeles
The Library Foundation of Los Angeles supports the Los Angeles Public Library in its effort to provide all 3.8 million Angelenos with equitable access to thousands of free programs, resources, and services. Through fundraising, advocacy, and innovative programs, the Library Foundation strengthens the Library’s commitment to educate and empower every individual in our city’s diverse communities. At the Foundation, we are committed to keeping the Library thriving for generations to come and to providing all Angelenos with the tools to enrich and improve their lives.