Melissa Thornley
Chicago,Illinois
Summary
Established strategic partnerships and delivered customized consulting services that elevate leadership effectiveness. Utilize data-driven insights to inform decision-making and foster impactful training programs, enhancing organizational performance and driving measurable change.
Overview
1
1
Certification
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder and Consultant
Melissa Thornley Consulting
Greater Chicago Area
01.2013 - Current
- Established tailored consulting practices that aligned with client needs and industry trends, enhancing service delivery.
- Analyzed client data to inform decision-making and strategic recommendations.
- Built strong relationships with clients, fostering trust and collaboration throughout projects.
- Identified and forged strategic partnerships, broadening business reach and client engagement.
- Delivered customized programming on emotional intelligence and instinctive working styles, improving client organizational effectiveness.
Director of IMS Chicago
The Institute for Management Studies
Greater Chicago Area
10.2016 - 06.2020
- Directed strategic initiatives to enhance management studies curriculum, expanding offerings to better meet industry needs.
- Collaborated with talent and leadership departments of Fortune 500 companies to develop and implement leadership initiatives, enhancing skills of emerging leaders and senior-level executives.
- Managed relationships with industry partners, fostering collaboration and resource sharing to support program development.
- Collaborated with faculty to develop innovative training programs for executives.
- Conducted research to identify trends in management education and practice.
Business Development Consultant
Shindig/Hum Music, Story Productions, Daily Planet Productions
Chicago
01.2014 - 10.2016
- Boosted brand exposure by delivering tailored talent and services to key ad agency decision-makers.
- Developed strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders and clients.
- Executed sales strategy targeting midwest advertising market, enhancing market penetration.
Managing Director
Beast – Company 3 – Method
Chicago
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Expanded operation from six to 35 staff, diversifying service offerings.
- Led creative and production team through corporate restructuring.
- Recruited and onboarded production staff to enhance team capabilities.
- Collaborated with managing editor to create and implement new post production workflow to meet and exceed client expectations.
- Directed two space build-outs and relocations, ensuring seamless transitions.
- Developed and managed budgets and schedules for multiple editors across various projects.
- Negotiated rates and relationships with suppliers and clients.
Managing Director, Exec Producer, Producer
the Whitehouse
Chicago, New York, London, LA
01.1997 - 01.2009
- As Managing Director oversaw day-to-day operations of the international firm's business exceeding $15M in annual revenue. Key clients: Levi's, Coca-Cola, Volvo, PBS, Sears, McDonald's, Anheuser-Busch.
- As Executive Producer (London) enhancing operational efficiency restructured production department and management workflow in London office, during a critical company transition. and management workflow restructure in London office in 2004.
- Over the course of twelve years, produced award-winning commercials, and managed teams in Chicago, New York, London, and LA.
- Started in Chicago client service department, then transitioned through marketing and business affairs roles to gain Produced commercials by managing bidding, scheduling, and project management, ensuring timely delivery and client satisfaction., and project management. Moved to New York to open n
Education
BA - Spanish, Liberal Arts Management
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN05-1993
Skills
- Business development
- Client relationship management
- Strategic partnerships
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Leadership development
- Change management
- Talent development
- Data-driven decision making
- Negotiation skills
- Creative problem solving
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication
- Emotional intelligence
- Partnership management
SKILLS
Languages: Spanish
VOLUNTEERING & LEADERSHIP
- Chicago Tap Theatre, Board Member, Chicago, IL, 2025-10, Present, Serve on fundraising and marketing committees.
- Next Up, Speaker and Committee Work, Chicago, IL, 2024-10, Present, Speaker at Fall learning event, Event volunteer and served on Growth and Development committee.
- Free Spirit Community Arts + Media, Board Member, Chicago, IL, 2020-06, 2025-12, Served as Secretary and Board President
- Step Up, Teen Mentor, Chicago, IL, 2012-03, 2019-05, Mentored at special events and from 2017-2019 mentored weekly throughout the school year at Schurz High School.
PUBLICATIONS
Beyond the Spot
Certification
- PCC: International Coaching Federation
- EQI2.0
- Kolbe Index
- IDI Qualifying Administrator
- CPCC
Languages
Spanish
Professional
Timeline
Director of IMS Chicago
The Institute for Management Studies
10.2016 - 06.2020
Business Development Consultant
Shindig/Hum Music, Story Productions, Daily Planet Productions
01.2014 - 10.2016
Founder and Consultant
Melissa Thornley Consulting
01.2013 - Current
Managing Director
Beast – Company 3 – Method
01.2009 - 01.2013
Managing Director, Exec Producer, Producer
the Whitehouse
01.1997 - 01.2009
BA - Spanish, Liberal Arts Management
Indiana University