Hi! I'm Melissa.
I believe connection is at the heart of every great story. As a creative professional, I bridge the gap between employees and leaders, and between customers and brands, turning communication into something people can truly connect with.
Over the past 20+ years, I’ve built a career at the intersection of design, marketing, and communications. In the last 8 years, I’ve grown my expertise in and passion for internal communications, while still leading external initiatives like rebrands, customer campaigns, and brand storytelling.
My experience includes shaping executive messaging, developing programs that keep employees and customers informed and included, and leading company rebrands that strengthen brand connection. I thrive where creativity, strategy, and execution meet, turning big ideas into details that resonate.
Melissa Nicholson
COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL
I’m a communications professional with a passion for connection. Whether it’s helping employees feel aligned with leadership or bringing customers closer to brands, I thrive on crafting stories that build trust, clarity, and engagement.
EXPERIENCE
2021-2025
TRAWICK INTERNATIONAL
DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Built the internal comms function from the ground up, connecting a global workforce through storytelling, brand, and culture initiatives. Led marketing and creative strategy, campaigns, and team operations to strengthen both employee engagement and brand growth.
2018-2021
GLOBAL BENEFITS GROUP
DIRECTOR, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Directed marketing for North America and Education markets while leading global internal comms initiatives that strengthened connection across teams, laying the groundwork for the culture-building programs I’d go on to develop at Trawick.
2017-2018
PARTNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
BRAND NEW DAY CREATIVE AGENCY
Co-founded a creative agency with former Kelley Blue Book colleagues, helping clients connect strategy, design, and storytelling to elevate their brands. This entrepreneurial chapter expanded my experience beyond the corporate world and led directly to my recruitment by the CMO of Global Benefits Group.
1995-2017
KELLEY BLUE BOOK / COX AUTOMOTIVE
PROGRESSIVE CREATIVE ROLES
Over two decades, I helped shape how millions experienced the Kelley Blue Book brand and led creative teams supporting multiple automotive brands across the Cox Automotive portfolio. I partnered with marketing, research, and leadership teams to translate complex data and insights into clear, compelling storytelling. It was here that I discovered the power of communication to simplify the complex, connect people, and inspire action, a thread that’s carried through every role since.
EDUCATION
In Progress
Bachelor of Science, Business
YAVAPAI COLLEGE
While my focus has been on building my career in marketing and communications, I made the decision to return to school to pursue my BS in Business, a personal goal that also strengthens the strategic and leadership foundation behind my work.
2001-2003
Associate of Arts, Graphic Design
ORANGE COAST COLLEGE
Where my love of design and storytelling first took shape.
SKILLS
Internal Communications
Employee Engagement
Event Planning & Coordination
Graphic Design
Executive Messaging
Storytelling
Brand Strategy
Video Production