Melissa Fors Shackelford
By Melissa Fors Shackelford
Marketing with Purpose: Building Brands that Connect and Inspire
Health Care
Melissa Fors Shackelford says [healthcare] matters because "all of us are a healthcare consumer" and "there's nothing more precious than your healthcare or your loved one's."
Vacation
Melissa Fors Shackelford is a "big advocate" for [vacations]: "Taking that time to decompress...you're gonna be a better leader, coworker, mother, father..."
Corporate Social Responsibility
Melissa Fors Shackelford says [corporate social responsibility] "absolutely matters more and more every day" and "ties directly into who you are as a brand."
Video Game
Melissa Fors Shackelford says [video games] matter as "an outlet for a lot of people" and a "stress reducer," even if she doesn't play herself.
Artificial Intelligence
Melissa Fors Shackelford believes [artificial intelligence] "absolutely matters" for healthcare, technology, and marketing: "It can help with graphics, editing, analytics..."
Leadership
Melissa Fors Shackelford says [leadership] "absolutely matters" because "everybody is a leader in one way, shape, or form" and "people are watching you no matter what."
Brand
Melissa Fors Shackelford insists [branding] "always matters" for both individuals and organizations: "What do you stand for, what do you want to be known for?"
Reality Television
Melissa Fors Shackelford says [reality television] "matters" as "an escape" and a way to "help you decompress and help you relax," which is "super important."
#FindAGuest-BeAGuest
Marketing with Purpose: Building Brands that Connect and Inspire
Melissa Fors Shackelford is a healthcare marketing strategist, author of Harnessing Purpose, keynote speaker and advisor to leaders who want to align mission with message; she brings practical insights on brand authenticity, inclusive communication, and how purpose can drive both growth and genuine human connection. As the founder of Shackelford Strategies, she partners with executives, startups, and established healthcare brands to refine messaging, strengthen market positioning, and launch new offerings. With more than 20 years of leadership experience at organizations including Optum, Hazelden Betty Ford, and Cigna’s Evernorth, Melissa has built deep expertise in go-to-market strategy, brand development, and growth marketing. She helps businesses accelerate market entry, scale sustainably, and build lasting connections with the people they serve. A recognized thought leader in healthcare and brand strategy, Melissa is a frequent speaker, podcast guest, and contributor to leading publications. Her insights focus on purpose-driven marketing, inclusive communication, and the role of authenticity in shaping modern healthcare brands. She has received multiple honors, including Nonprofit Marketer of the Year (American Marketing Association, 2019), the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST Award (2020), and recognition as one of the Top 50 Women in Healthcare (2025). Melissa’s Amazon #1 best-selling book, Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer’s Guide to Inspiring Connection, has solidified her reputation as a leading voice in purpose-driven marketing. The book offers actionable strategies for marketers and mission-driven leaders, blending real-world insights with practical tools to help organizations foster authentic connections, spark creativity, and lead with clarity of purpose.
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