Rebecca Malzahn Mellos

Rebecca Mellos serves as Senior Vice Chancellor for Development at Pepperdine University. In this role, she serves as a dynamic, data-informed, results-oriented strategic leader and is responsible for strategy development for new fundraising initiatives and individual donor cultivation for Pepperdine’s Advancement team.

Previously, Mellos served as Vice Chancellor for Development where she was responsible for overseeing front-line fundraising operations and strategy across Pepperdine’s five schools, including athletics, the regional development program and Pepperdine’s parent and family philanthropy program. During her time at Pepperdine, Mellos has raised over $35M for capital projects, student scholarships and other University initiatives.

Mellos joined Pepperdine in 2019 as Assistant Vice Chancellor and Senior Director of Development for Pepperdine Caruso School of Law where she was responsible for developing, organizing, leading, and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program and corresponding strategies for Caruso Law. In this role, Mellos raised over $3M for the Dean’s fundraising priorities in 2 years and assisted in raising an additional $3.5M for student scholarships from 55 donors through the ’50For50 Scholarship Initiative’.

Prior to Pepperdine, Mellos served as the inaugural California regional development officer for Baylor University and created a portfolio of 125 California constituents. She raised over $6M in three years by successfully identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding Baylor parents and alumni while connecting them to Baylor’s mission, vision, and brand as a Christian research university.

Mellos graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Journalism, Public Relations and New Media. Upon graduating, she spent three years serving Baylor’s President and Chancellor, Judge Ken Starr.

In her free time, Mellos volunteers with the Junior League of Los Angeles where she has held a variety of leadership positions including serving as Chair of the annual Harvest Boutique fundraiser in 2021 and currently serves as Director-elect of the Nominating Committee. In this role, Mellos is responsible for overseeing a committee responsible for identifying and slating candidates for positions on the Board of Directors and Management Council. Mellos is an active member of Community Bible Study and serves as Area Director for the Westwood and Santa Monica classes. She is also a member of Baylor’s ProSales Board of Ambassadors. In her free time, Mellos enjoys golfing, playing bocce and traveling with her husband Tyler.