Melissa's key writing specialty includes the ability to create exemplary products that typically surpass customer expectations. Melissa intuitively identifies customer needs and adapts writing to meet customer preferences.
Melissa has a keen ability to research complex topics and translate them into compelling, interesting, and generally understandable language. She is well-versed in APA and MLA styles, but easily adapts to the use of other styles or preferences of her clients.
Melissa is very detail-oriented with writing and editing, and has an exceptional grasp of English grammar, context, and spelling. Because she is a deep and diverse thinker, Melissa has a knack for seeing many sides of an issue and addressing those within writing products while being strategic, tactful, respectful, and professional. She has diverse political interests, and can be responsive to the writing needs of varying interests.
As mentioned in the "Experience" section, Melissa's writing product specialties include but are not limited to proposals, grants, job descriptions and evaluations, speeches, resumes, by-laws and articles of incorporation, policies, correspondence, marketing and media materials, and presentations.
Melissa has interest in writing projects that impact people at an individual, relationship, community, or societal level. She enjoys researching topics across the spectrum and learning about people, places, and issues as part of the writing process. She is not as interested in dry, technical topics unless there is a human impact explored and discussed. She very much enjoys creating charts and other visuals to accompany narratives. She enjoys projects that help non-profits, higher-education, and customer-centric businesses. She enjoys both short- and long-term writing projects.
Melissa has had over 25 years of experience in leadership positions within non-profit organizations. Most of these organizations have been social service-oriented and addressed complex issues such as abuse/violence, mental health, and substance abuse. She served as Executive Director of several non-profits and also volunteered for agencies. Her positions always required extensive writing, editing, and research. The number noted as #projects completed is a reference to the number of years in non-profit organizations.
Melissa completed 13+ years of post-secondary education and has been working in the community college system for nearly 3 years as a grant writer. Her years within this industry have required extensive writing, researching, and editing for short- and long-term projects.
Melissa has been writing grants requesting funds from federal, state, and local governmental authorities, private businesses, religious organizations, club/civic groups, and foundations. She is highly skilled in this arena and is good at all prospects of grants management including prospecting, writing, evaluating, and managing. She has written grants for over 25 years for non-profit and educational organizations. She provides high quality products that often require research from multiple partners and adherence to tight deadlines.
