Melissa J. Chandler
Melissa J. Chandler is a marketing and operations professional with a strong focus on audience growth, engagement analytics, and translating strategy into measurable results. With experience spanning marketing operations, project coordination, and performance analysis across retail, nonprofit, and membership-based organizations, she has led cross-functional initiatives, managed budgets and timelines, and provided data-driven insights that support strategic decision-making. Her approach emphasizes results over vanity metrics, ensuring that every initiative she leads drives meaningful impact.
Currently, Melissa serves as Marketing & Communications Chair for the Charlotte Garden Club, an affiliate of The Mint Museum. In this role, she analyzes engagement across social and email channels, supports retention and participation goals, and translates data into actionable recommendations for leadership. She also brings her expertise to her professional career as a Display Coordinator at Newell Brands, where she leads merchandising projects, coordinates with third-party vendors, and optimizes in-store experiences across major retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, and Costco.
A lifelong learner, Melissa is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration in Digital Marketing at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, building on her Bachelor of Science in Marketing. She is passionate about mentoring and training others, helping individuals develop skills that advance their careers, and fostering growth within her community. Her professional interests include revenue marketing analytics, lifecycle strategy, audience insights, and marketing operations, with a strong proficiency in Tableau, Excel-based reporting, and performance-driven strategies.
• Social Media Marketing Certification
• Social Media Marketing - Industry Specialist
• Emerging Leaders Certification
• Application Development C# / .NET
• Full Stack JavaScript, specializing in React and Node.js
• UX/UI Design Fundamentals Certificate
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke - BS, Marketing
• Midlands Technical College - AS
• Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society
• The American Marketing Association - AMA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, resilience, and an enduring passion for marketing and communications. Over the past ten years, I have remained committed to learning, growing, and never giving up, even in the face of challenges. I take great pride in mentoring and training others, helping them develop skills that advance their careers, whether through professional opportunities or community initiatives like the Garden Club. Currently, I am furthering my expertise by completing my master’s degree, reinforcing my dedication to continuous growth and lifelong learning.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never stop learning. Staying curious, open to growth, and willing to adapt has allowed me to evolve with my field, sharpen my skills, and remain resilient in the face of change, while continually finding new ways to add value and advance professionally.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field is securing grants while building and sustaining strong, collaborative relationships. Competition for funding continues to increase, making it essential to clearly demonstrate impact, innovation, and measurable outcomes. At the same time, this environment creates an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders, funders, and community organizations, as meaningful relationships often drive long-term support, shared goals, and sustainable success.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life center on family, integrity, and balance. My husband and family are my foundation, guiding my decisions and motivating me to lead with purpose, compassion, and accountability. I value trust, open communication, and commitment, and I strive to bring these principles into my professional life by building meaningful relationships, delivering excellence, and maintaining a strong sense of responsibility. Balancing ambition with presence allows me to grow in my career while remaining deeply grounded in the people and relationships that matter most to me.