Montgomery Community Gears Up for New Leadership as Women’s Foundation CEO Announces Resignation

Montgomery Community Reflects on Impactful Leadership as Women’s Foundation CEO Resigns

Montgomery, AL – The Women’s Foundation of Alabama is about to embark on a new chapter following the resignation of Melanie Bridgeforth, who has served as the organization’s President and CEO since 2018. The announcement was made on Monday, with Bridgeforth indicating her decision to start a consulting firm focused on national strategies to support women and communities.

Bridgeforth’s leadership has brought significant growth and transformative policies to the state. Under her guidance, the organization, which previously operated as the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham, has been rebranded and elevated to a statewide entity championing women’s economic equality. A notable accomplishment during her tenure was the passage of the Equal Pay Act in 2019, positioning Alabama as the 49th state to enforce a pay parity law.

In addition to the Equal Pay Act, the Women’s Foundation also played a key role in advocating for the “Working for Alabama” legislative package. This included the successful introduction of a Child Care Tax Credit bill, which aims to alleviate financial barriers for women in the workforce. Governor Kay Ivey signed this bill into law earlier this year, marking a significant step towards improving economic participation among women in Alabama.

“I didn’t come to play the game; I came to change it,” Bridgeforth remarked. She reflected on her time with the foundation and thanked her team, board, and donors for their support in changing the narrative around women and the economy in Alabama. According to the organization, revenue increased by an impressive 174 percent during her leadership. The latest fundraising efforts culminated in raising $9.4 million, significantly boosting grant distributions to $1 million annually for nonprofit organizations across 40 counties in Alabama.

“Melanie is one of the most consequential leaders in Alabama,” said Lajuana Bradford, Board Chair of the Women’s Foundation. Bradford emphasized that Bridgeforth’s vision has inspired a coalition of philanthropists, business leaders, and state officials to invest in initiatives aimed at removing barriers faced by women in the workforce.

Bridgeforth’s roots in Alabama run deep, coming from one of the state’s prominent farming families. She credited her father, John Henry, with instilling in her the confidence to be vocal and audacious about community and women’s issues. “He was a huge driving force in my fearlessness,” she reflected. “I was always told I had extreme power—even if the world told me something different.”

In light of her departure, the board announced the creation of the Melanie R. Bridgeforth Power and Possibility Fund, aimed at sustaining her contributions and legacy. An anonymous donor has pledged to match contributions to this fund up to $250,000, which is designed to ensure the Women’s Foundation remains the leading voice for women in Alabama.

Quentin P. Riggins, a board member, stated, “Alabama won’t win until our women do.” He added that Bridgeforth was a catalyst for change, bringing visionary ideas and rallying state leaders around the shared goal of growing the economy by breaking down barriers for women.

As the board embarks on choosing a successor, it was announced that Bridgeforth will remain in her role until February 28, 2025. This transition comes at a time when the Women’s Foundation stands as a testament to the voices advocating for women’s issues in the state, a movement that Bridgeforth has significantly shaped.

As Montgomery reflects on this leadership change, many are optimistic about the future initiatives that will arise from the foundation, continuing the efforts started by Bridgeforth and ensuring that the momentum for women’s economic empowerment persists.