THE BEE, CHICAGO, AND ME.

 
 

In Greek, the name Melissa means "honey bee."

 

I was reminded of this fact last year while visiting San Francisco. My Lyft driver verified that I was his passenger and goes, "Melissa -- honey bee, right?"

Honey bees are smart, can recall things quickly, and live in a highly organized society. Like the honey bee, I am organized, a fast learner, and have a knack for remembering important details.

In its lifetime, the honey bee travels an average of 500 miles.
I'm excited to see how far I'll go!

 
 
 

The Windy City is my favorite city.

 
 
 

I spent a summer at DDB Chicago and fell in love with the Windy City! When I wasn’t working, I was watching improv shows, making friends, visiting museums/parks/beaches, and taking in the city while sitting on a glass floor 1,353 feet in the air. This video – filmed and edited by me – shows summertime Chicago from my perspective.

After falling in love with summer Chicago, I moved here permanently. I’m currently working as a Senior Strategist at FCB and dreaming of warm weather.

 
 
 
 

According to Myers-Briggs, I am an INFJ.
(we make up less than one percent of the population).

I’ve always been strong in my writing, and showing empathy to others comes naturally to me. I’m thoughtful, and I don’t talk just to talk. When I share my ideas, I have something to say.

In a peer review, one of my classmates described working with me and said, “I feel safe speaking to her and I know that I won’t get harsh backlash for throwing around ideas. Psychological safety in a group is important.”

I prefer quiet leadership, but that doesn’t stop me from taking risks, being in front of large crowds, or pursuing my passions.

 

In high school...

I was the drum major of my school’s marching band for two years, which meant I stood on a podium and conducted during every halftime show and competition, keeping the tempo of the 70-person band.

 
 

In College...

I played trumpet in a 500-person marching band. There were almost 70 other trumpet players, and I was among a small group selected to be on the leadership team. For two years, my role was to perfect the marching of the band, or – in layman’s terms – help 500 people move together across a football field while playing instruments.

 
 

At the VCU Brandcenter...

I spoke in front of more than 200 people when I introduced the Chief Creative Officer of a global ad agency who came to the school to give a presentation.

 

I will never be the loudest person in the room, but I will always be thoughtful, curious, and empathetic.