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Melissa Fors Shackelford

Melissa Fors Shackelford

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

Travels From Travels From:
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000
Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000
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Categories Categories:
Categories Categories:
Author, Business Growth, Communication, DEI, Entrepreneurship, Female Leadership, Healthcare, Leadership, Marketing, Personal Growth, Workshop
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Melissa Fors Shackelford Biography

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.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/18/2025.

Melissa Fors Shackelford Speaking Topics

  • The Hidden Power of Purpose: Why Meaning, Not Money, Will Shape the Future

    In an era defined by rapid change, rising disconnection, and growing distrust in institutions, one force is quietly reshaping the future of work, leadership, and business: purpose.

    Drawing from over two decades of healthcare marketing leadership -- and insights from her book "Harnessing Purpose" -- Melissa Fors Shackelford reveals why organizations and individuals who anchor themselves in deeper meaning are not only more resilient, but more innovative, impactful, and trusted.

    This talk challenges traditional notions of success rooted solely in profit and growth. Instead, Melissa illustrates how purpose-driven leadership transforms brands, teams, and industries — and why connecting to authentic purpose isn’t just good for business, but essential for thriving in the next economy.

    Blending real-world experience, research-backed insights, and human-centered storytelling, Melissa offers a roadmap for leaders, marketers, and changemakers who want to build more meaningful, sustainable futures.

  • Harnessing Purpose: How Purpose-Driven Marketing Builds Trust, Connection, and Impact in Healthcare

    In an era of growing distrust and information fatigue, purpose isn’t just a branding tool—it’s a business imperative. Healthcare organizations that lead with clarity, connection, and purpose create more resilient brands, more engaged teams, and more loyal patients. This session explores how to build marketing strategies rooted in purpose, equity, and real-world impact.

  • From Stigma to Strategy: How Inclusive Marketing Builds Trust, Breaks Bias, and Drives Brand Growth

    In an era of increased social awareness, fractured trust, and rapid brand accountability, inclusive marketing isn’t optional—it’s expected.

    But true inclusion goes deeper than casting choices and diverse stock imagery. It requires confronting bias, addressing stigma, and intentionally designing messaging that resonates with—and respects—every audience you serve.

    This high-impact session unpacks how brand and marketing leaders can operationalize inclusion as a core business strategy, not a siloed initiative. Drawing from real-world campaigns and decades of experience leading healthcare and mission-driven brands, Melissa Fors Shackelford explores how inclusive communication not only drives engagement and loyalty—it also dismantles stigma and opens new paths to connection and growth.

  • Speak with Purpose: How Authentic Communication Builds Trust, Loyalty, and Brand Integrity

    In today’s hyper-connected world, people don’t just engage with brands—they evaluate them. Every message, every campaign, and every silence tells a story. And in that noise, authenticity is the signal.

    In this powerful and practical session, Melissa Fors Shackelford makes the case that authentic communication is not a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. Rooted in over two decades of experience leading marketing and brand strategy across healthcare, tech, and mission-driven sectors, she shares how aligned, transparent, and values-based messaging can fuel connection, rebuild trust, and sustain brand credibility through change.

    From navigating crises to crafting purpose-led campaigns, this talk explores how teams can build internal alignment, avoid performative missteps, and lead with communication that resonates—inside and out.

Melissa Fors Shackelford Videos

  • Melissa Fors Shackelford Speaker Reel 2023
    Melissa Fors Shackelford Speaker Reel 2023
    Uploaded by Melissa Fors Shackelford on 2025-01-20.
See All Videos »

Melissa Fors Shackelford Books

  • Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer’s Guide to Inspiring Connection
    Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer’s Guide to Inspiring Connection

FAQs on booking Melissa Fors Shackelford

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  • 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.

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Melissa Fors Shackelford is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The Hidden Power of Purpose: Why Meaning, Not Money, Will Shape the Future, Harnessing Purpose: How Purpose-Driven Marketing Builds Trust, Connection, and Impact in Healthcare, From Stigma to Strategy: How Inclusive Marketing Builds Trust, Breaks Bias, and Drives Brand Growth and Speak with Purpose: How Authentic Communication Builds Trust, Loyalty, and Brand Integrity. The estimated speaking fee range to book Melissa Fors Shackelford for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. 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 Don Peppers, Dr. Jackie Freiberg, Scott Deming, Kim Rittberg and Kanene Holder. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Melissa Fors Shackelford for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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