Melody R. Waller has built a respected career in integrated marketing that includes proven expertise in advertising, leadership development, crisis communications and media relations. She is currently working as an independent marketing implementation strategist, and has provided branding and positioning services to clients such as SC Johnson, Frito Lay, Kroger and Publix Supermarkets.

Over the past 14 years, Melody has worked on the "agency side" with TracyLocke, Burrell Communications Group, Carol H. Williams Advertising and E. Morris Communications leading a “Who’s Who” list of Fortune 100 companies that have benefitted from her expert counsel which has consistently generated sales volume increases for major brands, including Kraft Foods and General Mills.

Mentors and peers endorse Melody’s marketing/advertising skill set along with her abilities in strategic planning, team building, budget management, creativity, and inspirational leadership. Melody was honored to be part of a team at DePaul University that was recognized by The Public Relations Society of America awarded with a Silver Trumpet Award for the “DePaul Guide to the Experts.”

Melody’s parents instilled the value and responsibility of giving back, and even greater, the responsibility of giving forward. That foundational philosophy led her to found Pretty Amazing, a community initiative that supports women who are survivors of domestic violence. For the Imani Pearls Community Development Foundation, she developed a leadership development curriculum that enabled women to build their career development skills. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and has served on the local, regional, and national levels of the organization for over twenty years. She has also served as an officer of the Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League.

Of herself, Melody says: “My personal mission is to see the best in others and empower them to see the best in themselves. To be of service. To do what’s right and what matters. To always have hope for the present and to create opportunities to help people rise in the future.

Melody earned her bachelor’s degree in English at Oberlin College in Ohio and the Master of Science in Managerial Communications Strategy from Northwestern University.