It's me,
Melissa
Nelson-Stippich!

I love working with values-aligned clients who care deeply about making a difference. I’m passionate about a lot of progressive issues, and I’ve found that the best way I can impact the movements I care about is by putting my skills to work amplifying the work far smarter people are doing. I love to help it look better, sound clearer, and resonate with the audiences who can help make change happen.

When we work together, I start by getting a lay of the project and learning what your biggest goals (or dreams) really are. From there, I figure out how to make it happen within your scope and timeline, create an action plan, and get to work.

My favorite thing a client can say is, “It turned out even better than I imagined!” I love making that happen and making the process feel easy, clear, and collaborative along the way.

MY Process

Work History

I lead creative projects for nonprofits and mission-driven groups, including brand building, websites, and campaigns.
I design logos, websites, graphics, and videos that make ideas clear and easy to share.
I help organizations figure out what to say and how to say it, then create the materials that bring that strategy to life.
I manage projects from start to finish so nothing falls through the cracks and deadlines get met.
I write and edit copy for websites, emails, and social media that sounds like the organization and connects with their audience.
I make sure everything I deliver is accessible and inclusive so more people can engage with it.
I train teams so they feel confident running their own communications after the project wraps.

Ran advocacy campaigns that boosted civic engagement across social, digital, and multimedia.
Produced videos and digital graphics to get advocacy messages out and mobilize people.
Managed Better Utah Institute’s emails, website, media, and social channels.
Built three online hubs with resources on advocacy and civic engagement.
Created a Civic Engagement Toolkit with three courses to support community action.
Tracked legislation and social media trends to keep advocacy efforts timely.
Wrote blogs, articles, and grant proposals to tell the story and bring in funding.
Designed a volunteer program and earned a credential in volunteer management.
Worked with board members, partners, and community groups to align messaging.
Helped with donor engagement, fundraising materials, and annual events.

Created a new brand identity, including logo design and a cohesive visual system aligned with the organization’s mission and advocacy goals.
Managed digital communications: email campaigns, social media, and daily action alerts to mobilize community engagement.
Facilitated in-person and virtual events, live-streamed programming, and developed new online engagement tools during the 2020 shift to virtual.
Led advocacy work during legislative sessions: tracked bills, reported on developments, created public action alerts, interviewed representatives and advocates, and produced educational videos.
Directed social media strategy and content creation to amplify advocacy efforts and grow community engagement.
Supervised interns and fellows, providing mentorship and project guidance.
Supported fundraising initiatives, including capital campaigns and annual fundraisers, by designing materials and strategies to connect with donors.

Developed communication strategies to promote voter education, civic engagement, and community involvement.
Designed and managed digital campaigns — email, social media, and web — to expand advocacy reach and connect with new audiences.
Created educational materials and infographics that made complex voter information clear and engaging.
Built a new website to improve accessibility, streamline navigation, and better connect with members and voters.
Produced branded event packages and promotional assets to support local League chapters with outreach.
Ensured all communications followed national brand standards for consistency.
Partnered with local and national League chapters to coordinate messaging across multiple platforms.
Prioritized accessibility in all design and communications so resources were inclusive and usable by diverse audiences.

Develop Comprehensive Branding Strategies: Create logos, visual identities, and messaging frameworks for mission-driven clients to amplify their impact and connect with target audiences.
Design and Build Custom WordPress Websites: Deliver intuitive, accessible websites tailored to client needs, balancing functionality, user experience, and creative aesthetics.
Produce Multimedia Campaigns: Develop engaging video content and graphics for digital and social platforms that drive audience engagement and advocacy goals.
Craft Strategic Communications Plans: Provide actionable roadmaps for social media, email marketing, and multimedia content to achieve campaign objectives.
Conduct UX Research and Testing: Gather user feedback to refine website designs and ensure an optimal, intuitive experience for end users.
Lead Content Development: Design infographics, marketing materials, and presentations that transform complex ideas into clear, impactful visuals.
Manage End-to-End Projects: Oversee timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure seamless execution and client satisfaction.
Streamline Workflow and Processes: Optimize project workflows using tools like Asana and Google Workspace, creating efficient systems for content creation and review.
Design for Accessibility: Ensure digital products meet WCAG standards, making content inclusive and accessible to all audiences.
Provide Training and Support: Equip clients with tools and knowledge to maintain their communications and web assets independently.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science in Social Science, Minor in Gender Studies,
summa cum laude

Westminster College

Accessibility Foundations

Provided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE).