Melverta Bender assumed the role of Vice President (VP) of Planning and Development at HCHRA in May 2023. With over 20 years of experience in project management, she is a dedicated public health professional with expertise in strategic and community planning, program development, prevention education, research, grants management, and program administration.

Ms. Bender holds a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Millsaps College and a Master’s in Public Health from Jackson State University. She is a member of several organizations, including the Training Cadre for Teen Health MS, the Project Management Institute, the American Public Health Association, and the MS Public Health Association.

Before joining HCHRA, Ms. Bender held several positions, including Director of the Office of STD/HIV at the Mississippi State Department of Health, Project Manager/Research Director at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and Research Support Manager at the Jackson Heart Study.

As Vice President of Planning and Development, Ms. Bender plays a vital role in agency strategic planning, continuous improvement, community relations, development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation of internal controls, and management of information services development. Additionally, she supervises the Communications and Development and Quality Assurance Divisions and coordinates ROMA (Results-Oriented Management and Accountability) – Next Generation.