
Meliah Bowers Jefferson
Meliah Bowers Jefferson joined the Jolley Foundation as Executive Director in June 2022. She guides grantmaking, investments, and community engagement to advance the foundation’s vision of a just, compassionate, and vibrant community for all. Meliah brings 20 years of professional experience in law, business, and community leadership to the Foundation.
Meliah graduated from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business and earned a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. During her legal career, she clerked for Chief Justice Jean H. Toal (ret) at the South Carolina Supreme Court and United States Circuit Court Judge J. Michelle Childs. She also practices law in civil litigation, intellectual property, and alternative dispute resolution as a member of Wyche, P.A., where she previously served as a member of the executive leadership team.
A community servant at heart, Meliah has nearly 18 years of nonprofit board experience and currently serves on the boards of directors for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and Greater Good Greenville. She is a Liberty Fellow, a Fellow of the Furman University Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative, and a graduate of Leadership Greenville. Under her leadership, the foundation stays true to its core mission of creating a thriving Greenville community. Meliah lives in Greenville with her daughter.