Melissa Vela Williamson

Chief Communication Architect
MVW Communications

Melissa Vela-Williamson, APR is an award-winning communicator with over 16 years of general market and multicultural integrated marketing communications experience in agency, corporate and nonprofit settings. Today, she serves clients as the Chief Communication Architect of her own virtual agency, MVW Communications. Melissa’s a 360° communicator, but has special expertise and accreditation in public relations. Through MVW, she works directly as a consultant, assembles expert account teams to develop and implement campaigns, or collaborates with larger agencies needing her PR or specialized experience. During her career, she has directed public relations, marketing, advertising or social strategy for over 65 organizations such as H-E-B, Alamo Colleges District, Meals on Wheels San Antonio, Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, Texas State University, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. In addition to agency work, she is a professional speaker and workshop facilitator.

Melissa has led workshops for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, CPS Energy, the San Antonio Area Foundation, the Maestro Entrepreneur Center, the Children’s Shelter, the Alamo Colleges Workforce Network, SCORE, the Texas Association of Fairs & Events, the Latina Leadership Institute, and the local chapters of the Public Relations Society of America and American Marketing Association. Melissa has been featured on panels or was a moderator for the Hispanic Public Relations Association, the Public Relations Society of America, and the American Marketing Association San Antonio. She also lectures or speaks at colleges across the nation such as University of Oklahoma, University of Miami, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, SUNY-Plattsburgh, Appalachian State University, University of Texas San Antonio, and the University of South Carolina.

As a thought leader in public relations, Melissa is a national columnist for the Public Relations Society of America reaching over 30,000 practitioners. She will launch her industry-focused podcast, the Smart Talk Series and a PR Pro Gear online merchandise shop by April 2020. For more info, visit www.mvw360.com.