Debra Mesch

Debra Mesch is a Professor and Director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Indianapolis. Her expertise spans nonprofit management, gender and philanthropy, and human resource management. She joined IUPUI in 1992 after teaching at Simmons College and Northeastern University in Boston.

Dr. Mesch holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior/Human Resource Management from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University (1990), an M.B.A. (1989) and M.S. (1976), and a B.S. (1974).

Her research focuses on gender disparities in charitable giving, volunteer behavior analysis, and cross-cultural philanthropy. She has published extensively on topics such as Lions Club International member dynamics and Jewish philanthropy.

• Key Research Themes: Gendered philanthropy, nonprofit governance, global charitable practices, and volunteerism trends

Her academic accolades include the IUPUI Jaguars Favorite Professor Award (2006) and recognition as one of America’s Top 20 Women in Philanthropy (2014). She has led grants exploring human resource strategies in nonprofits and advises on institutional development within the sector.

Dr. Mesch directs the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, fostering interdisciplinary research on gender and charitable practices. Her work bridges theoretical insights with actionable strategies for nonprofit organizations.