Meet the Team
Our team is committed to excellence and service to our clients and the communities that they serve.
Maddy Bynes-DeVaney, MPP
Maddy has worked in non-profits and government for the past decade with significant experience in public policy, research, analysis, grant writing, management, and communications.
Maddy began Bynes Consulting Group in 2022 with the vision of helping non-profits meet their fundraising goals, reduce expenses, and better serve our communities. Prior to beginning Bynes Consulting Group, Maddy worked in both public and private roles to increase community engagement, innovative policies, and efficient management practices. Maddy's vast experience includes working in local government, the University of Arizona, Arizona Democratic Party, Pima Council on Aging, and AZAging.
Maddy's professional awards include being one of Tucson's 40 Under 40, winning three Aging Achievement Awards from USAging, and winning the first place Aging Innovation Award from USAging. Being active in her community, Maddy has served on several boards including Tucson Clean & Beautiful, Protecting Arizona's Families Coalition, the Marana Community Food Bank Advisory Council, and currently serves as the manager for external relations for Young Nonprofit Professionals of Washington D.C.
Maddy holds a bachelors degree from the University of Arizona in Political Science and History and a Masters Degree in Public Policy. She currently lives in Washington D.C. with her husband, Nick, and their two dogs, Walker and Dusk.
Melanie Emerson, PhD, MA, CIE
Melanie Emerson is a seasoned organizational development and social impact executive with over 25 years of experience across the non-profit, business, government, and academic sectors. She has subject matter expertise in organizational and crisis leadership, social justice, conflict dynamics, JEDI, global development, and acute humanitarian response in conflict zones.
Melanie has served in numerous leadership roles domestically and abroad, including Country Director for the Peace Corps in both Belize and Georgia, Executive Director of Sky Island Alliance, State Director of the American Friends Service Committee, and most recently, Chief Executive Officer of Global Response Medicine, a veteran-founded, women-led international emergency response NGO with offices and field operations in Iraq, Mexico, and Ukraine.
Melanie has served as a Board Member for several Tucson-area non-profit and quasi-governmental organizations, was appointed as an Ombudsman by the President of the University of Arizona, and is a certified mediator, public involvement specialist, and interim executive. Emerson holds a B.S. with honors in environmental science from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, an M.A. in conflict dynamics and analysis from Antioch University, and a PhD from Adler University.
Melanie lives in Tucson, Arizona with her dogs, Tulip and Dottie.
