Melissa M. Milburn
Melissa is an enthusiastic leader whose experience spans the full scope of global communications. She has an extensive background in strategic communications, public relations; media relations; marketing communications; crisis communications planning; corporate positioning; community relations; digital strategy, brand management; government affairs; and television news broadcasting. Melissa works with the world's top tier media.
Right now, Melissa works for Microsoft as executive communications lead in the office of the Chief Technology Officer. Previously, she was Director of Marketing Communications for SolTerra. SolTerra creates sustainable, mixed-use, LEED Platinum buildings, and is one of the largest installers of solar energy systems, living walls and green roofs.
Prior to SolTerra, Melissa led cross-foundation media relations for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She served as press secretary, managing news media activities for the foundation's executives in the United States, United Kingdom, Africa, India, and China. She developed foundation messaging and leadership platforms for co-founders Bill and Melinda Gates, CEO Jeff Raikes, Bill Gates, Sr. and the executive management team.
Before her work at the Gates Foundation, Melissa founded Milburn Communications to provide strategic communications for privately-held companies and non-profit organizations. Her work included corporate positioning, brand building, reputation management, digital marketing, social media, crisis communications, government relations and strategic media relations.
Other positions held include APCO Worldwide, where as VP of Technology Communications, Melissa built the public relations practice for technology companies. She provided strategic communications counsel, corporate positioning, media training, crisis communications, and media/analyst relations for both public and privately-held companies.
Prior to APCO, Melissa worked with Waggener Edstrom, one of the world's largest strategic communications firms, which serves as Microsoft’s agency of record.
Melissa's television broadcasting experience includes anchoring, producing, reporting, writing, and editing.
She holds a BA in Communications from the University of Washington, and graduate degree in Public Relations. She has won numerous awards for her work, including two Emmy Awards from the N.A.T.A.S. and a Totem Award from the P.R.S.A.
Specialties: Communications strategy, storytelling, media relations, internal & external communications, corporate positioning, social media strategy, media training, crisis communications, government relations.
Right now, Melissa works for Microsoft as executive communications lead in the office of the Chief Technology Officer. Previously, she was Director of Marketing Communications for SolTerra. SolTerra creates sustainable, mixed-use, LEED Platinum buildings, and is one of the largest installers of solar energy systems, living walls and green roofs.
Prior to SolTerra, Melissa led cross-foundation media relations for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She served as press secretary, managing news media activities for the foundation's executives in the United States, United Kingdom, Africa, India, and China. She developed foundation messaging and leadership platforms for co-founders Bill and Melinda Gates, CEO Jeff Raikes, Bill Gates, Sr. and the executive management team.
Before her work at the Gates Foundation, Melissa founded Milburn Communications to provide strategic communications for privately-held companies and non-profit organizations. Her work included corporate positioning, brand building, reputation management, digital marketing, social media, crisis communications, government relations and strategic media relations.
Other positions held include APCO Worldwide, where as VP of Technology Communications, Melissa built the public relations practice for technology companies. She provided strategic communications counsel, corporate positioning, media training, crisis communications, and media/analyst relations for both public and privately-held companies.
Prior to APCO, Melissa worked with Waggener Edstrom, one of the world's largest strategic communications firms, which serves as Microsoft’s agency of record.
Melissa's television broadcasting experience includes anchoring, producing, reporting, writing, and editing.
She holds a BA in Communications from the University of Washington, and graduate degree in Public Relations. She has won numerous awards for her work, including two Emmy Awards from the N.A.T.A.S. and a Totem Award from the P.R.S.A.
Specialties: Communications strategy, storytelling, media relations, internal & external communications, corporate positioning, social media strategy, media training, crisis communications, government relations.
