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Melissa G.

Marketing and Product Development

Profile

Strategic marketing and community engagement professional focused on developing innovative programs, building stakeholder relationships, and increasing participation across nonprofit, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurial sectors. Leader with expertise in communications, program development, outreach, and cross-functional collaboration. Skilled in partnering with boards, volunteers, leadership teams, and community stakeholders to create meaningful engagement initiatives that support organizational growth.

Key Skills & Competencies

Member Engagement & Retention • Community Outreach • Strategic Communications
Program Development • Stakeholder Relationship Management • Event & Experience Planning
Volunteer Engagement • Marketing Strategy • Public Relations • Cross-Functional Leadership
Partnership Development • Board Collaboration • Market Research & Analysis • Project Management Strategic Planning • Digital Engagement • Media Relations • Business Administration

Technology: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, Mailchimp, SurveyMonkey, Zoom, Photoshop

Professional Experience

Administrator & Marketing Consultant, Select Dental | West Hartford, CT | 2 years
Manage administrative operations and lead patient engagement and marketing initiatives for a growing multi-office dental practice.
• Strengthen patient communication and engagement through improved outreach strategies, digital presence, and local marketing initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with insurance providers, vendors, and external partners to support operational efficiency and service quality.
• Lead marketing efforts including website evaluations, competitive analysis, and media outreach to enhance community visibility and patient acquisition.
• Develop engagement-focused communication strategies that improve brand awareness and reinforce patient trust and retention.
• Collaborate across teams to streamline administrative processes and improve overall patient experience.

Founder and Program Creator, Pop-up Kids Market | West Hartford, CT | 1 year
Created and launched the region’s first entrepreneurial market designed to educate and empower young business owners while fostering community engagement and family participation.
• Developed a highly visible community program that attracted more than 1,500 attendees and created meaningful engagement opportunities for participating families and youth entrepreneurs.
• Designed educational programming and mentorship experiences focused on entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership, and communication skills.
• Cultivated sponsorships, partnerships, and media relationships to increase awareness and strengthen community participation.
• Secured regional media coverage through FOX61, Hartford Courant, Patch, CT Business News, and WeHa News.
• Built a mission-centered experience that connected community members, local businesses, and young entrepreneurs through shared learning and participation.

Founder and Program Creator, The Pearl Society | Hartford, CT | 2 years
Co-founded a philanthropic engagement initiative designed to attract and involve emerging generations of donors and community leaders.
• Created a new donor engagement model that expanded participation among younger professionals and increased awareness of community philanthropic initiatives.
• Developed educational and networking programs that fostered long-term involvement and strengthened connections between participants and nonprofit organizations.
• Collaborated with leadership, volunteers, and community stakeholders to create meaningful experiences aligned with organizational mission and growth goals.
• Contributed to the successful expansion of the initiative into six additional cities nationwide.
• Positioned the organization as an innovative model for next-generation engagement and community involvement.

Director of Marketing, Mastery Education (Formerly Peoples Education) | Saddle Brook, NJ | 6 years
E-learning Publisher for the Educational Sector for Grades K-12
Directed strategic marketing and communications initiatives for a national education publisher serving K–12 schools transitioning into digital learning platforms.
• Led a team of five and managed a $3.6 million budget supporting marketing, communications, and engagement initiatives across multiple product lines.
• Partnered with educators, leadership teams, and sales staff to strengthen customer engagement and support adoption of new educational technologies.
• Helped drive company revenue growth from $5 million to $25 million through strategic marketing, relationship development, and innovative programming.
• Conducted market research, focus groups, and customer feedback initiatives to better understand audience needs and improve engagement strategies.
• Created training programs and engagement materials for a national sales team of more than 40 representatives.

Marketing/Public Relations Manager, SafeRent, Solutions Inc. | Denver, CO | 2 years
E-screening for the Residential Real Estate Market
Led corporate communications, PR, and event marketing initiatives supporting product launches and executive visibility.

Community Experience

++BOARD & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP++

Board of Directors Trustee, Congregation Beth Israel | West Hartford, CT | 8 years
Co-Chair Cantor Search Committee | 1 year
Served as Co-Chair for the Educational Director for Youth Engagement search committee, helping identify leadership focused on strengthening youth participation, family involvement, and community connection. Collaborated with clergy, staff, and volunteers on communication initiatives, policy development, and member-focused programming.

Board Member, Board Secretary, JCL (Jewish Association of Community Living) | Hartford, CT | 7 yrs
Supported mission-driven programming and stakeholder engagement initiatives serving adults with developmental disabilities.

Education

University of Maryland, College Park | Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, concentration in Public Relations

Other Experience/Awards/Publications

AEP (Association of Educational Publishers) Distinguished Achievement Award for
e-Path™
SafeRent Ginsu Award for “Outstanding Product Launch”

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