Melissa is a seasoned communications professional and writer with more than 25 years of experience providing leaders with communications programming, advice and content that deliver clear, compelling messaging and thought leadership content that resonate with a variety of audiences. With a keen understanding of the media and the art of communications, she has gained the trust of senior leaders at companies big and small, serving as their trusted advisor on everything from day-to-day internal and external communications to more sensitive initiatives such as leadership changes, business transformations, divestitures, and integrations post-merger.

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Prior to founding Bay Haven Communications in 2019, Melissa spent 15 years with Bank of America as Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications. While there, she partnered closely with senior leaders across virtually every institutional business unit, including stints as the day-to-day communications counselor and writer for corporate and investment banking; commercial banking; global markets; treasury solutions; equity trading; and anti-money laundering. Melissa was intimately involved in the communications planning and execution around high profile initiatives including the merger of Bank of America and Merrill Lynch; the divestiture of several business units and regions; key leadership transitions; the Global Banking and Markets Women’s Conference; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and served as the lead communications partner for the bank’s New York Market President.

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Earlier in her career, Melissa served as Director of Corporate Communications for The Nasdaq Stock Market and as Vice President, Public Relations for TD Waterhouse Group (now TD Ameritrade). She began her career with a small, independent public relations firm. 

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Melissa is a graduate of Providence College and lives in Charleston, South Carolina.