Melissa Sylvester, CFA, CAIA, AIF
Vice President, Senior Planned Giving Investment Specialist
PNC Institutional Asset Management
Pittsburgh, PA
https://www.pnc.com
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Melissa is a senior planned giving investment specialist for PNC Institutional Asset Management®. She coordinates the delivery of investment solutions for Planned Giving clients. Her responsibilities include: maintaining strong relationships with clients by providing thought leadership, education and insights; managing portfolios in accordance with investment objectives and applicable state annuity regulations; providing recommendations based upon the client’s needs; and supporting the development of new business relationships.

Melissa has 35 years’ experience in the investment industry. Prior to assuming her current position, she held positions with Atlanta Consulting Group, a division of Raymond James and Associates and Morgan Keegan.

Melissa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and finance from The University of Florida and with a Master of Business Administration from The University of West Florida. Melissa holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF) designations. Melissa is a member of the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council and the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. Melissa also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Council on Gift Annuities. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation, currently serving as Vice President.

Fun Facts About Melissa

When did you first learn about Charitable Gift Annuities?

Almost a decade ago, I was looking to make a life change and someone asked me if I would be interested in managing planned giving assets.  As an investment advisor, I worked with non-profits on their endowment, operating and retirement assets, but was not familiar with charitable gift annuities.  Luckily, I got the job and dove in to become proficient in the investment of CGAs.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

I love to travel so my favorite vacation spot would be somewhere I haven’t been, yet.  I have visited 25 countries so far and will check off three more in 2026 (Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia).

If you could learn one personal new skill, what would it be?

I would love to be fluent in another language.  I’ve taken classes in French, German, Italian and Russian and cannot speak any of them.  I think I need to be emersed in the language to speak it rather than “travel” language.

When your are not at work, what are your passions?

In addition to traveling and planning trips, I am an avid reader reading every single day.  I also love to cook and bake.  My goal for the next year is to gather recipes from my travels into a potential cookbook.