Award-Winning Marketing Strategist; Author of "Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer's Guide to Inspiring Connection"

Minneapolis, MN, USA
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Melissa Fors Shackelford Biography

Melissa Fors Shackelford is a nationally recognized author and sought after speaker, bringing over two decades of experience in purpose driven leadership and strategic communication to healthcare, nonprofit, and technology leaders. As founder of Shackelford Strategies, she advises mission-driven startups and established organizations on scaling with integrity and fostering inclusive storytelling.

Her dynamic presentations combine insightful research with practical frameworks, empowering the next generation of leaders to build authentic connections and drive meaningful societal change. Shackelford is the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller "Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer's Guide to Inspiring Connection," and has shared her expertise at prestigious forums, including the American Marketing Association, the American Hospital Association's Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development, the University of North Dakota and the University of Minnesota

Shackelford has been honored as Nonprofit Marketer of the Year by the American Marketing Association and named one of the Top 50 Women in Healthcare for her leadership and impact in mission-driven fields.

BOOK Melissa Fors Shackelford

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 01/12/2026.

Melissa Fors Shackelford Speaking Topics

  • Breaking Barriers: Understanding and Addressing Stigma in Healthcare Marketing

    Stigma quietly erodes trust, engagement, and outcomes. This session shows how to spot it, remove it, and replace it with language that respects people and strengthens credibility.

    Audience leaves with: StigmaSafe Messaging Checklist, fast copy audit method, before-andafter rewrite examples tailored to healthcare communications.

  • AI Can't Rebuild Trust: The Human Side of Innovation in Healthcare

    Technology can scale access, but it cannot manufacture trust. This keynote reframes "innovation" around human proof, clarity, and accountability so adoption becomes possible.

    Audience leaves with: Trust-byDesign framework, messaging do's and don'ts for AI and automation, a simple model for measuring trust beyond satisfaction scores.

Read More +

Melissa Fors Shackelford Videos

Melissa Fors Shackelford Speaker Reel

Melissa Fors Shackelford Speaker Reel

With 25+ years of leadership experience across Fortune 50 companies, national nonprofits, startups, and health tech, Melissa Fors Shackelford brings...

  • How do I book Melissa Fors Shackelford to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Melissa Fors Shackelford for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Melissa Fors Shackelford, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Melissa Fors Shackelford or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Melissa Fors Shackelford

    Speaking fees for Melissa Fors Shackelford, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Melissa Fors Shackelford are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Melissa Fors Shackelford, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Melissa Fors Shackelford speak about?

    Melissa Fors Shackelford is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Business Growth, Communication, DEI, Entrepreneurship, Female Leadership, Healthcare, Leadership, Marketing, Personal Growth, Workshop
  • Where does Melissa Fors Shackelford travel from?

    Melissa Fors Shackelford generally travels from Minneapolis, MN, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Melissa Fors Shackelford’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Melissa Fors Shackelford for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Melissa Fors Shackelford for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Melissa Fors Shackelford or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Melissa Fors Shackelford is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Breaking Barriers: Understanding and Addressing Stigma in Healthcare Marketing, AI Can't Rebuild Trust: The Human Side of Innovation in Healthcare, Harnessing Purpose in the Employee Experience: Building Engagement, Retention and Trust, The Hidden Power of Purpose: Why Meaning, Not Metrics, Will Shape the Future, Harnessing Purpose: How Marketers Can Lead with Meaning and Still Drive Results and Marketing With a Conscience: Reclaiming Integrity in a Purpose-Driven World. The estimated speaking fee range to book Melissa Fors Shackelford for your event is available upon request. Melissa Fors Shackelford generally travels from Minneapolis, MN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Libby Gill, Scott Deming, Don Peppers, Dr. Jackie Freiberg and Kim Rittberg. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Melissa Fors Shackelford for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP