Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Melissa moved to Aspen in 2016. With an entrepreneurial spirit, she has worked as a freelancer and/or business owner for over a decade, gaining experience as Adjunct College Faculty, Graphic Designer, Photographer, Producer, Set Stylist, Fine Art Gallery Owner, Artistic Director at a local architecture firm, Director of Community Relations for a metal band, and Subject Matter and Industry Expert writing college courses in photography and graphic design. Currently, she is the CEO and Marketing Strategist at Citizens Bridge, delivering expert audits and strategic insights for AEC firms. 

 

Melissa is a polished, media-savvy marketer who believes that her mission in life is to connect communities and establish lasting relationships for organizations. She is truly in her element planning local events, working with media to promote and grow audiences, and planning every detail of the campaign or exhibition from inception to completion. She is independent and decisive, hardworking, and determined. While she has a gift for both messaging and design, she’s also methodical and can break out large projects into tasks and lead cross-functional teams with diplomacy and grace.

 

Being an active part of the art world is crucial for her, as a both a fine artist and business professional. Melissa seeks to engage with people at their point of need, has a passion to assist emerging artists and small business professionals, and supports others to perform above and beyond expectations. As an artist, she experiments with photography, painting, print making, graphic arts, digital media, and fiction writing. She finds joy and peace in the act of creation, meeting new people, and learning about the world around her. Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul, and cat, Xia, cooking, camping, traveling, hiking, skiing, paddleboarding, gardening, and creating art. Melissa is thrilled to be part of the Z Group Team as they truly value work life balance with an undeniable passion for their work, clients, and staff.

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Education

The University of Akron, OH

Masters in Arts Administration, Thesis "Financial Challenges of New Media Art in Contemporary Arts Institutions", 2017

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The University of Akron, OH

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, minor in Professional Photography, 2009

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Central Ohio Technical College, OH

Associate of Digital Media Design, 2007

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The Ohio State University, OH

Associates of Liberal Arts, 2005

 

Community Affiliations

Volunteer Short Film Pre-Screener, Aspen Film, 2021-2022

Crew Volunteer, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboarding Club, 2019-2020

Co-Chair, Contemporaries at The Aspen Art Museum, 2017-2019

Membership Chair, Aspen Young Professional Association, 2018-2019

Volunteer Graphic Designer, GlenX Career Expo, 2017-2019