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 Hodgson, ABC APR, is an award-winning public speaker, 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 speaks publicly on communications topics for local, regional and national audiences; provides crisis communication counsel to Gambel clients; and oversees development and delivery of best-in-class public relations services for the agency’s clients. Melissa manages, coaches and mentors team members and participates actively in business development.
With more than 30 years’ experience in public speaking, management, business communication and public relations, Melissa has carried the public relations and communications mantle to industry, educational and corporate settings. She has successfully represented her employers and clients to media, governmental contacts, the public and business leaders.
Melissa’s speaking topics and public relations work have 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 all local broadcast, print and digital outlets.
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. She has been an accomplished speaker since high school.
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 New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. She presently serves on the NORLI Board of Directors. 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 32 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.