Melinda has lived by the lessons of strength, determination, and hard work given to her by her beloved Puerto Rican parents. A proud daughter, she was raised in a home where family came first. Her mother, who often managed multiple jobs at once, taught her what determination looked like in action. Those humble beginnings shaped her into the incredible advocate, mother, and leader she is today.
Cox was raised in Rutherford and Jersey City, New Jersey, before attending Union College. There, she majored in political science and minored in Spanish while playing softball. After graduation, she decided to enroll at Rutgers School of Law; however, this choice was far from impulsive. By the sixth grade, inspired by an impressive lawyer who visited her school for career day, Melinda knew she wanted to be an attorney. Thankfully, that spark never dimmed.
Her journey into the legal world began at Sherman & Sterling, where she completed two years of pro bono work supporting families facing unimaginable loss after 9/11. Those early cases deepened her drive to advocate, namely for those who can’t speak for themselves. As she puts it, she has a “deep belief in the power of advocacy.” Currently, as General Counsel, she does work with corporate governance, compliance, employment law, loan structuring, real estate investment, and strategic business advising. She navigates this intersection of law, finance, and social impact beautifully.
Her journey with CRF began five years ago—in 2020. She had just completed her term as president of the Hispanic Bar Association, and her boss invited her to attend the Foundation’s gala. She expected a typical fundraising event but discovered what she describes as “the most beautiful gala” she had ever attended. This evening was profoundly moving, heartfelt, and, most importantly, very human. Touched by the experiences of the D.I.P.G. Warriors and their families, she found that she personally wanted to contribute to the cause.
Since then, she has gone from Board Friend to Board Member to Chairwoman in record time. As she says, “If I commit to something, I give it my all,” which she demonstrated with the 25% increase in fundraising the charity has seen since her installation. Her unwavering work ethic is responsible for this record-breaking achievement, but she humbly credits the entire board, supporters, and sponsors, emphasizing that success comes from teamwork, donor relationships, transparency, and community outreach.
To Melinda, CRF is “one of the most heartfelt and genuine organizations.” Every single member of the charity “truly pours their hearts into the cause.” The Foundation does not just raise money–it walks the Warriors through their battle both emotionally and financially. Every child, she says, is loved, seen, and cherished, whether she has met them or not. She is grateful that she can offer them a small amount of hope. This earnest dedication to supporting the children holistically is what makes all the difference.
Melinda Colon Cox leads with advocacy, displaying genuine heart and conviction. Every step she has taken, from her role as General Counsel to becoming a chairwoman for CRF, reflects the incredible values of her parents. With all of her endlessly successful contributions, CRF continues to grow, both in funding and in support. Her story perfectly captures the value of hard-work, and we truly cannot wait to see where the rest of her incredible journey takes her.