Melissa Leonard
About Melissa Leonard
Melissa Leonard is a Senior Manager of Product Marketing and Strategic Communications at Nwea, with a diverse background in program management and marketing across various organizations. She has held roles at Kaiser Permanente, Portland State University, and Porter Novelli, and holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Lewis & Clark College and a Master's degree from Portland State University.
Current Role at NWEA
Melissa Leonard serves as the Senior Manager of Product Marketing and Strategic Communications at NWEA. She has held this position since 2017, contributing to the organization's marketing strategies and communication efforts. Her role involves overseeing product marketing initiatives and ensuring effective communication of NWEA's mission and offerings.
Previous Experience in Community Benefit
Prior to her current role, Melissa worked at Kaiser Permanente as a Program Manager in Community Benefit from 2013 to 2017. During her four years in this position, she was based in Oakland, California, where she focused on community engagement and health initiatives.
Educational Background
Melissa Leonard studied at Lewis & Clark College, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in English. She furthered her education at Portland State University, obtaining a Master's degree. Her academic background supports her expertise in communication and marketing.
Career Progression at Portland State University
Melissa held multiple positions at Portland State University from 2004 to 2013. She began as a Graduate Assistant, then transitioned to roles including Academic Advisor and Health Sciences Advising Coordinator. Over these years, she contributed to student support and academic advising.
Early Career in Public Relations
Melissa started her career in public relations, working as an Account Executive at We Communications from 1997 to 2000 and later as a Senior Account Executive at Porter Novelli from 2000 to 2003. These roles in New York and Bellevue provided her with foundational experience in strategic communications and client management.