MELISSA McDERMOTT

• Provided independent consulting services to various clients.
• Assisting the establishment of law offices in Virginia Beach, VA, Dallas, TX and Sarasota, FL.
• Advising marketing, communication, conflict resolution and negotiation for non-profits and small businesses.
• Coaching non-profits, individuals and small businesses in cross-cultural communication.
• Advising in cross-cultural practices and values.
• Educating small businesses in generational differences and cross-cultural awareness.

Organizational Culture, Values & Ethics (LDSL 718)

• Instructor, Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Program
• Examines cultural values and their relationship to leadership, cross-cultural differences, and global leadership.
• The role of organizational values and ethics and the impact of Judeo-Christian faith principles on leadership formation around the globe.

Organizational Research, Analysis & Problem Solving (LMOL 603)

• Instructor, Masters of Organizational Leadership
• Qualitative and quantitative research methods and data analysis that leaders and consultants use in organizations with particular attention to interview and observation.

Organizational Communication, Conflict Resolution & Negotiation (LMOL 605)

• Instructor, Masters of Organizational Leadership
• Examines organizational communication, including dyadic, small group, formal and informal communication, as well as the relationship of communication to organizational satisfaction and effectiveness. In addition, students study how communication defers in leader-member exchange and mass-communication of charismatic leader/large group interaction.

Culminating Experience (LMOL 609)

• Instructor, Masters of Organizational Leadership
• Synthesizes the knowledge and skills learned throughout this program. This experience may be, but is not limited to, a guided project, (i.e., designing a new organization, analyzing an existing major organizational problem and recommending solutions or developing and testing a seminar), a master's thesis or a publishable manuscript. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

• Supported the organization’s mission and initiatives through consulting work.
• Advising and creating systems for research to create literary programs for children in third world nations.
• Analyzed client needs to develop tailored strategies for program implementation.
• Facilitated workshops and training sessions to enhance stakeholder engagement and knowledge transfer.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline project workflows and improve service delivery.

• Managed scheduling and calendar coordination for efficient time management.
• Organized briefings, meetings, and special events for effective stakeholder engagement.
• Facilitated communication between constituents and parliamentary staff to address inquiries.
• Developed and maintained filing systems to ensure document accessibility and accuracy.

• Coordinated executive schedules, ensuring optimal time management and prioritization of key meetings.
• Managed complex travel arrangements, streamlining logistics to enhance efficiency for executive engagements.
• Prepared comprehensive meeting agendas and materials, fostering productive discussions among board members.
• Developed and maintained filing systems, promoting organization and easy access to important documents.

• Led cross-functional teams to execute high-impact campaigns, aligning with organizational goals and mission.
• Developed and implemented comprehensive marketing strategies to enhance brand awareness and engagement.
• Analyzed market trends and consumer behavior to optimize marketing initiatives and drive donor acquisition.
• Managed digital marketing efforts, including SEO, social media strategy, and email campaigns for outreach enhancement.

• Coordinated research projects, ensuring adherence to academic standards and deadlines.
• Conducted literature reviews to support ongoing research initiatives within the department.
• Assisted faculty in developing course materials and instructional resources.
• Facilitated communication between students and faculty to enhance academic support services.

• Assisted in proofreading and editing manuscripts for clarity, grammar, and adherence to style guidelines.
• Coordinated editorial schedules and publication timelines to optimize workflow efficiency.
• Managed correspondence with authors, addressing inquiries and facilitating communication throughout the publishing process.
• Organized research materials, ensuring easy access for editorial staff and enhancing project collaboration.