New York, New York, United States
Melissa Nyarko, M.A., is an Industrial-Organizational Psychology Consultant, Educator, and award-winning Communications Executive with more than 12 years of experience leading global brand strategy, media campaigns, experiential activations, and high-profile events across entertainment, media, and culture. Throughout her career, Melissa has spearheaded initiatives at organizations including BET Networks, Tyler Perry Studios, Sunshine Sachs, Live Nation, and LaForce, where she built expertise in communications, leadership, talent development, stakeholder engagement, and culture-shaping experiences. Building on her foundation in business and human behavior, Melissa earned her Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from CUNY School of Professional Studies and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University, expanding her work at the intersection of organizational psychology, mental health, and workplace wellness. As a Professor, Consultant, and mental health professional in training, Melissa focuses on leadership development, employee well-being, workplace culture, equity, and sustainable performance. She is passionate about transforming the future of work by helping organizations create environments where performance, inclusion, and mental wellness thrive together. Whether through consulting, teaching, workshops, or speaking engagements, Melissa partners with organizations, educators, and leaders seeking to build healthier, more human-centered workplaces and learning environments.
Develop and teach courses in Career & Internship Services, designing curricula that balance theoretical foundations with practical application. Courses: Senior Co-Op; Senior Co-Op Prep, Launching Your Career Provide mentorship and guidance to diverse students, supporting their academic growth and career readiness. Incorporate real-world industry experience to enhance learning outcomes and foster student engagement.
Oversaw and coordinated the CUNY Career Launch internship program including 60 undergraduate interns for the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit Curated and led Professional Development Workshop Series to ensure intern readiness for Civic and Business careers Managed interagency collaborations, coordinating with City agencies, staff volunteers, and community partners Oversaw deployment of outreach campaigns and field operations to bring benefits to over 80K residents at 236 events across NYC Distinctions: Awarded Mayoral Service Recognition Award for outstanding contributions to NYC civic efforts
Led day-to-day operations for global brand sponsorships & media partnerships, managing multimillion dollar campaign budgets consistently delivering projects on time & within scope. Conceptualized, planned & executed 35+ events quarterly, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale productions, achieving a 100% client satisfaction rate & contributing to a 20% year-over-year increase in event revenue for the Travel vertical, including clients like Hilton, Verizon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Lowes & more. Leveraged project management tools like Asana to lead & coordinate the efforts of cross functional team members & stakeholders, driving measurable client success & ROI. Recruited, trained & mentored junior team members, while partnering with Learning & Development to design & deliver impactful Diversity & Inclusion workshops.
Spearheaded 360° promotional campaigns for leading brands, including Citi, Coach, Perry Ellis, Airbnb, Diageo & GMC, managing client communications, global cross-functional teams & $2M+ budgets. Ensured seamless execution, delivering measurable results such as increased ROI & improved brand visibility. Collaborated with social media influencers to execute targeted marketing campaigns, driving a 25% increase in engagement & exceeding brand KPI goals. Onboarded, trained & mentored junior team members, aligning their contributions with business goals & fostering a high-performing, collaborative team environment.
Developed and executed comprehensive publicity strategies for high-profile talent and corporate clients, including Grammy Award-winning Solange Knowles, R&B legend KEM, and brands like AdobeMax, The Weather Channel, and Timberland, driving media visibility and audience engagement. Led onsite support and logistics for marquee events such as the NAACP Image Awards, GRAMMY Awards nominee event, Tribeca TV Festival, and Super Bowl LIII, ensuring seamless execution and client satisfaction. Directed strategic and tactical planning for high-profile events featuring Grammy winners Alicia Keys and Marshmello, as well as Grammy-nominated artists Rapsody and Jeezy, amplifying client visibility and brand equity. Conceptualized and spearheaded brand partnership campaigns across diverse industries, including fashion, sports, arts, and entertainment, connecting emerging startups and established corporations with impactful collaborations.