Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Madisonville, LA
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Alabama; accreditation from International Association of Business Communicators and Public Relations Society of America
Mantra/Motto: Everything boils down to trust, respect and love.
Favorite quote: “Do or do not. There is no try.” - Yoda
Favorite PR Moment: Helping a new mother whose embryos had been saved out of Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters share her story with People magazine.
Melissa is an award-winning public relations practitioner and proven leader with recognition for both management of teams and execution of strategies. She has a unique perspective on strategic communication, having led corporate, agency and independent settings.
As vice president at Gambel Communications, Melissa is the management executive focused on managing, directing, planning and coordinating agency resources to ensure the mission, vision, values and finances align with the agency’s goals.
Professionally, Melissa provides crisis communication counsel to Gambel clients. She oversees development and delivery of best-in-class public relations services for the agency’s clients. In addition, Melissa manages, coaches and mentors team members and participates actively in business development.
With more than 30 years’ experience in management, business communication and public relations, Melissa has successfully represented her employers and clients to media, governmental contacts, the public and business leaders. Her prior roles include assistant vice president for St. Tammany Health System, director of communication for LAMMICO, director of public relations for Isidore Newman School, public relations counsel for Deveney Communication and independent consultant in public relations strategy. Her early career appointments afforded experience with General Motors, Evangeline Healthcare and the New Orleans Chamber. Melissa has collaborated with a host of communication agencies including BBP Marketing, Competitive Resources, Logan Marketing, Fabre Smith & Co., Pelican Pictures, Peter Mayer, Zehnder Communications and Brand Society.
Melissa’s work has earned the highest honors including the international Gold Quill and recognition from International Association of Business Communicators, Public Relations Society of America, American Marketing Association, Ad Club, Press Club, The Telly Awards and Web Marketing Association. She has earned coverage in national and international media including BBC, CBS, CNN, NBC, the Weather Channel, the Associated Press, US News & World Report, Time, Wall Street Journal and People. Locally, she has placed news with WWL-TV Ch 4, WDSU-TV Ch. 6, WVUE-TV Ch. 8, WGNO-TV Ch. 26, The Times-Picayune/nola.com, New Orleans CityBusiness, WWL 870 AM, WYLK 94.7 FM, Louisiana Radio Networks and lifestyle magazines including New Orleans, Inside Northside and Edge of the Lake.
Melissa is accredited by both the International Association of Business Communicators (ABC) and Public Relations Society of America (APR). The dual accreditation indicates her commitment to the rigorous national and international standards for senior communicators. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication theory and public relations from the University of Alabama where she was a founding member of the Alabama Student Society for Communication Arts.
Melissa has been named a CityBusiness Woman of the Year, St. Tammany Chamber Member of the Year and YMCA Northshore Hero. She is a graduate of Leadership St. Tammany and current student in the Class of 2024 with New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. Melissa has served in leadership capacities for both IABC and PRSA chapters. A dedicated volunteer devoted to making her community the best it can be, Melissa has led communication efforts for St. Tammany Parish government transition teams, boards of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Leadership St. Tammany and Three Rivers Art Festival.
Melissa and Shane, her husband of 30 years, raised two amazing creative artists, Sophia, a sequential artist, and Barrett, a tubist. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys her family, pets, property and travel.