Advisory Board Member Index | Contact Us

Melissa Leonesio

leonesio@azacttoday.org

Melissa was raised in New York and majored in theatre at New York University. The Leonesios moved to Arizona eleven years ago bringing with them a strong commitment to community, an intense desire to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, and an obligation to set the best example for their children.

Melissa has more than 20 years of experience chairing events for, raising funds for, and serving on the boards of numerous charitable organizations. Some of those Arizona organizations include:

• The American Heart Association’s Heart Ball – 10 years of service including serving as Vice Chairman of Heart Ball 2000 and creator and co-chairman of “Kids Ball… play for life!” in 2006.
• Southwest Center for HIV / AIDS, formally Body Positive – SWC, an HIV and AIDS research and resource center, is extremely important to her. She has served SWC for 11 years, including 6 years as a member of its Board of Directors and 2 years as the Founder and Chairman of its Advisory Council. She continues to serve as a member of its Advisory Council. Melissa was Chairman of SWC’s “Night for Life 2001” its largest fundraising effort. She and her husband, Frank, were the Honorary Chairmen of “Night for Life 2005” and the proud recipients of Southwest Center for HIV / AIDS Corporate Leadership Award at “Night for Life 2008”. She has also served as both the Chairman and the Honorary Chairman of SWC’s “Kids for Life”, starring Tom Chapin.
• Melissa has been intimately involved with HomeBase Youth Services with 8 years of service and three terms as a member of its Board of Directors. Melissa was Chairman of HomeBase Youth Services “Leadership With Integrity Dinner 2002."
• She was the Founder and annual Chairman of “Boys’ Night Out” for 5 years. Its beneficiaries have included: Crisis Nursery, Florence Crittenton, Body Positive’s Children’s Services, Phoenix Sun’s Charities – “Nite Hoops”, Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center and HomeBase Youth Services.
• Melissa created and Co-Chaired “The Trends Charitable Fund Celebrity Luncheon 2003” starring Steven Cojocaru, and was a TCF board member for 3 years where she served as the board’s Vice President and Grant Chairman.
• She is now in her 4th year as a board member for Phoenix Suns Charities and is entering her 2nd year serving on its Executive Board. She created and was the Chairman of “Suns & Stars 2006” starring Earth, Wind & Fire and Darryl Hammond which raised, in today’s dollars and pledges, over 3.6 million for Phoenix Suns Charities. Melissa went on to oversee Suns & Stars 2007 & 2008 starring Seal and Queen Latifah respectively and is the Chairman Emeritus of Suns & Stars.
• Melissa served as the Chairman of “Phoenix Follies Five!” in 2007 which benefited Phoenix Theatre and chaired “A Tribute to Michael Barnard” in 2008. This extraordinary organization is very close to her heart and she serves on its Board of Directors as well.
• Melissa is very active with Brophy College Preparatory, her sons’ school. She co-chaired its Jr. / Sr. prom in 2008, is serving on the Brophy Fashion Show committee for a second year, is a member of the Brophy Mother’s Guild and just completed her term as the “Track Mom”.
• In February of 2008 Melissa competed in “Dancing with the Stars Arizona”, benefiting the AZ Kidney Foundation, and won the “People’s Choice” award. She will continue to serve on that committee in 2008 / 2009.
• Melissa and her husband were part of the Host Committee for Chrysalis’ major fundraiser and hosted an event in their home in November ’07 for the Children’s Museum of Phoenix.
• Melissa has also served as Co-Chairman for “The New Times Best of A’Fare” benefiting The March of Dimes.
• Currently Melissa is helping to create and serving as Co-Chairman for a new event called “That’s ShowBiz!”, benefiting ACT Today which raises much needed dollars for families dealing with autism.

Other charities Melissa has been, and is, involved in helping include:

• The Arizona Foundation For Women
• SARRC
• The American Jewish Committee
• Positive Impact
• Sojourner Center (Advisory Board)
• The American Cancer Society
• The Herberger Theatre
• Fresh Start Women’s Foundation
• The Phoenix Art Museum (Advisory Board for its Vin Arte event)
• Phoenix Children’s Hospital (Chairman of “A Small Gathering With a Big Star” starring Michael Gapinsky) – Founder & Chairman
• Phoenix Country Day School
• Childhelp USA
• The Crohns & Colitis Foundation
• The Arizona Science Center
• Celebrity Fight Night and more.

Melissa has been the grateful recipient of numerous honors and awards, some of which include being named a “Woman Who Cares” by Phoenix Theatre “Woman of Distinction” by The Crohns & Colitis Foundation “Guardian of Hearts and Hope” by the Board of HomeBase Youth Services for three consecutive years “Trendsetter/Fashionality” for the TRENDS Charitable Fund She has received the “Community Life Support Award” from Positive Impact the “Pure Heart Award” from The American Heart Association the “Paloma Award” from Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS

Melissa and Frank are the owners and operators of O Premium Waters & Esio Beverage Company where she is the Senior Vice President of Community Relations and the Director of Charitable Giving. Melissa has been very happily married to Frank Leonesio for 19 years and they are the proud parents of three beautiful boys, Taylor, Max, and Brent. Her children are truly her greatest passion!

Advisory Board Member Index | Contact Us