Melissa Fors Shackelford

Melissa Fors Shackelford is a nationally recognized marketing strategist, author, and speaker with over two decades of experience leading transformational brand and growth initiatives in the healthcare, nonprofit and tech sectors. As the founder of Shackelford Strategies, she advises mission-driven organizations and startups on how to scale with integrity, tell more inclusive stories, and lead with purpose.

Shackelford is a sought-after speaker known for her engaging, insight-rich sessions on purpose-driven marketing, brand strategy, inclusive communication and ethical leadership. Her keynotes and workshops consistently draw praise for blending big-picture inspiration with actionable tools.

She has presented at some of the nation’s most respected conferences and institutions, including The American Marketing Association, The Society for Healthcare Strategy & Market Development of the American Hospital Association, The Forum for Healthcare Strategists, The University of Minnesota Women’s Leadership Conference, The Mid-Atlantic Society for Healthcare Strategy and The National Association on Addiction.

As the author of "Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer’s Guide to Inspiring Connection," Shackelford equips leaders with practical strategies to align brand, culture and communication—fostering stronger connections with customers, teams and communities.

Throughout her career, she has held executive roles at leading organizations such as Optum, Cigna’s Evernorth, Hazelden Betty Ford and LetsGetChecked. Shackelford has been honored as Nonprofit Marketer of the Year by the American Marketing Association, received the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST Award and was named one of the Top 50 Women in Healthcare. Driven by a deep belief that marketing can be a force for good, Shackelford helps leaders and teams turn purpose into performance—and vision into action.