Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Timeline
Generic

Melissa Jordan Grey

Creativity | Entrepreneurship | Impact
La Jolla,CA

Summary

Strategic leader, board member, and entrepreneur with three decades of experience driving growth at the intersection of business, technology, and the arts. I bring proven expertise in strategic thinking, marketing, and business development, helping nonprofits leverage an entrepreneurial mindset to achieve sustainability and expand reach. My career reflects both governance and community impact—from serving on national and local boards, to mentoring youth and founding nonprofit initiatives. I am also a composer, playwright, author, and conceptual designer, whose creative work informs my vision for advancing the mission and resilience of cultural organizations.

Overview

38
38
years of professional experience

Work History

Board Member

San Diego Performing Arts League
01.2023 - Current
  • Advocate for visibility and sustainability of San Diego's performing arts organizations.
  • Support countywide collaboration, shared resources, and audience development.
  • Contribute strategic vision for marketing and community outreach.

Co-Founder & Artistic Director

The WhatNext? Collective
06.2022 - Current
  • Co-founded a collective amplifying women's voices in theater.
  • Guide governance, programming, partnerships, and fundraising.
  • Foster collaborative leadership among playwrights, directors, and actors.

Executive Chair & Co-Founder

NewBlue, Inc.
01.2005 - Current
  • Provide governance and long-term strategic oversight.
  • Lead strategy, business development, and innovation for a global leader in live-to-post video graphics technologies.
  • Guide company vision and partnerships, ensuring sustainable growth in a competitive creative-tech market.
  • Oversee content marketing and product positioning to serve broadcast, live-stream, and creative professionals worldwide.
  • Provide creative direction company wide.

Founder

WOW #TwiceThePower
09.2013 - 06.2019
  • Qualcomm-backed national nonprofit empowering girls in robotics and STEM.
  • Supported multiple FIRST Robotics Competition teams; grew nationally and internationally.

Co-Founder – SPEAK

Francis Parker School
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Affinity group supporting First-Generation college students.
  • Provided supplies, summer preparation, and mentorship.

Senior Business Mentor

FIRST Robotics
01.2014 - 01.2018
  • Guided high school teams to multiple top awards including Chairman's Award (3x) and Engineering Inspiration Award (2x) over a five year period.

Board Member

IRTS Foundation
01.2012 - 12.2017
  • Support education and mentorship in media and entertainment.
  • Founded the IRTS Flying Pig Fellowship for non-elite college students.
  • Engage in fundraising, mentorship, and program design.

Principal & Consultant

BrandAcuity
01.2000 - 01.2005
  • Delivered brand strategy, content marketing, and business development for a variety of tech startups/

Group Program Manager

Microsoft
01.1995 - 01.2000
  • Led multifunction teams to deliver a series of digital media products and services.
  • Directed product design, marketing, and partnerships in digital media.
  • Integrated interactive music tech into PowerPoint, MSN, Windows.

CEO/President

The Blue Ribbon SoundWorks
01.1988 - 01.1995
  • Built pioneering music technology firm, achieving five years of revenue/profit growth.
  • Developed AudioActive engine (Best of Comdex award) which became part of Microsoft Windows.

Education

Master of Arts - Cinema-Television

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
05.2001 -

B.A. - Music/Media Studies

Eastman School of Music / Indiana University

Skills

    Business consulting

    Leadership experience

    Strategic thinking

    Organizational growth

    Music and video production

    Digital marketing

    Creative direction

    Innovation mindset

Timeline

Board Member

San Diego Performing Arts League
01.2023 - Current

Co-Founder & Artistic Director

The WhatNext? Collective
06.2022 - Current

Co-Founder – SPEAK

Francis Parker School
01.2016 - 01.2018

Senior Business Mentor

FIRST Robotics
01.2014 - 01.2018

Founder

WOW #TwiceThePower
09.2013 - 06.2019

Board Member

IRTS Foundation
01.2012 - 12.2017

Executive Chair & Co-Founder

NewBlue, Inc.
01.2005 - Current

Master of Arts - Cinema-Television

University of Southern California
05.2001 -

Principal & Consultant

BrandAcuity
01.2000 - 01.2005

Group Program Manager

Microsoft
01.1995 - 01.2000

CEO/President

The Blue Ribbon SoundWorks
01.1988 - 01.1995

B.A. - Music/Media Studies

Eastman School of Music / Indiana University
Melissa Jordan GreyCreativity | Entrepreneurship | Impact
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