MILBURN COMMUNICATIONS

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; corporate positioning; community relations; social media strategy, brand management; government & public affairs; as well as television news broadcasting. Melissa thrives on working with news media - from the world's top tier news organizations to local outlets on the West Coast.

Melissa founded Milburn Communications to offer strategic communications counsel for small to mid-size privately held companies, startups, and non-profit organizations. Her expertise includes corporate positioning, brand building, reputation management, social media strategy, marketing, crisis communications, public affairs & government relations and media outreach. 

Today, Melissa works as a consultant with Compass Real Estate in Santa Cruz County, California.

Her previous role was with Intel Corporation. Melissa worked with the leadership team in the Data Center & AI Group to develop a strategic narrative, along with key messaging. 

Previously, Melissa spent more than five years with Microsoft as an executive communications lead for Kevin Scott, Executive VP and Chief Technology Officer for the company. She developed and produced the successful award-winning "Behind the Tech" podcast, hosted by Scott.

Before Microsoft, Melissa led external communications in media relations for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She served as press secretary, managing global news media activities for the foundation's executives including 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.

Other positions held include APCO Worldwide (APCO), where as Vice President 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 (WE), one of the world's largest technology 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 a 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.

Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/melissamilburn/