Communications & Fundraising Strategies Built to Inspire Change

Strategist and Creative Leader Melanie Moran Joins Mackey Strategies as Vice President

Melanie Moran, a leader in university communications and marketing, has joined Mackey Strategies as vice president and senior strategist effective May 31. Melanie joins Mackey Strategies after 25 years of increasing leadership responsibility in the higher education and public sectors, most recently as Associate Vice Chancellor for University Relations at Vanderbilt University. 

Melanie began her work at Vanderbilt 18 years ago, having previously served as speechwriter to the governor of Tennessee and as the communications leader for the state’s environmental agency. She brings to our clients extensive knowledge and experience in every aspect of communications and marketing, including strategic planning, executive communications, website redesign, visual media, media relations, social media, donor and alumni communications, and major events. She has earned a stellar reputation for her shrewd thinking, creative vision, exceptional writing ability, and compassionate and thoughtful leadership style. 

Melanie’s approach to her work aligns perfectly with our commitment to helping clients both build decisive strategies that are true to their ideals and identity and activate them creatively across all print and digital media. Her wide range of hands-on experience also is a tremendous addition to a team whose expertise encompasses every aspect of higher education communications and marketing. 

Since our founding in 2016, Mackey Strategies has served more than 45 college, university, and other non-profit clients across the country, encompassing complete rebrands, $1 billion campaigns, interim vice president service, communications audits, admissions marketing overhauls, media relations, videography, website redesigns, social media campaigns, crisis management, presidential communications, and executive and staff training. Our range of clients has included the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Hun School of Princeton, Texas Tech University, Johns Hopkins University, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), and such leading liberal arts institutions as Furman, Willamette, Trinity, Amherst, and Smith. Mackey Strategies also provides a free, searchable database of op-eds by higher education leaders and a variety of training programs for leaders and staff.

Learn more about our team and our work.