Melanie Wong Email & Phone Number

• Increased social media engagement rate by 155% and net audience growth by 88% across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram within 3.5 months of taking over social media content development and strategy.• Secured positive media coverage of West Basin in local and industry outlets such as the Daily Breeze, Gardena Valley News, WaterWorld, Inglewood Today, Water Education Foundation, California Water News Daily and California Water Environment Association; secured front page media coverage of the District’s water bottle filling station program in the El Segundo Herald; shared the articles on social media which led to increased positive publicity and awareness of the District.• Executed an aggressive social media marketing campaign to increase participation in the in-person rain barrel events which helped West Basin meet its attendance/participation targets.• Generated attractive, relevant, and timely social media posts that engaged West Basin’s target audiences including elected officials, cities, water agencies, industry leaders and organizations, businesses, residents, civic and environmental groups; publicized the success of conservation programs and increased participation in water use efficiency programs.• Served as a District spokesperson.• Secured a speaking opportunity for West Basin Board President and Interim General Manager at a Rancho Palos Verdes City Council Meeting.• Design, draft and edit West Basin’s quarterly e-newsletter.• Oversee and maintain District website.

Los Angeles, California

• Organized and facilitated three virtual scoping meetings for the Metro Crenshaw Northern Extension project; generated a turnout of 421 attendees.• Managed the outreach program for the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District’s K-8 School Expansion Project; planned two community meetings, created a dedicated project website, developed meeting notices and conducted one-on-one briefings with stakeholders.• Led virtual strategic planning workshops for the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Joint Powers Authority; produced a five-year strategic plan that the Board voted unanimously to approve on November 5, 2020.• Pursued and landed government contracts totaling $2.5 million through researching and writing proposals.

• Provided marketing and outreach support for conservation programs, collaborating with Public Information to create marketing strategy and timelines, develop collateral, and target single-family homes for appropriate programs.• Developed and launched a comprehensive, data-driven social media strategy, resulting in a follower growth increase of 25% on Instagram and 23% on Facebook within 3 months of campaign start.• Updated and maintained conservation microsite ensuring that content is accurate, timely and relevant.• Contributed to the production of the annual Water Use Report by updating the Recycled Water charts and graphs.• Developed an RFP for a landscape guidebook & online videos, identified promotional considerations, and led a meeting to present information and materials to staff.• Tracked and monitored city council agendas for items related to the Ocean Water Desalination draft EIR and reported findings to designated task force.

Greater Los Angeles Area

• Contributed to the development of communications materials that serve to educate, inform, and engage audiences about the organization’s mission and impact. • Produced banners, signage, promotional items and other visual displays/communications materials for the annual gala, collaborating with a team of graphic designers, photographers, vendors and videographers. • Planned, designed and executed effective Constant Contact email marketing campaigns. Trained and advised staff members on using Constant Contact best practices. • Curated content for the monthly internal teacher newsletter. Edited and proofread articles. Designed and arranged newsletter pieces. Executed successful email marketing campaigns. • Created, managed and updated website content using WordPress CMS, ensuring that the website reflected the organization's core values. • Set goals and objectives for social media strategy, identified opportunities for process improvement, and monitored metrics to evaluate efficacy of tactics. • Established and maintained cooperative relationships with internal stakeholders to facilitate communications.

Greater Los Angeles Area

• Developed PR campaigns for Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment, Lou Diamond Phillips, & Bento Box Entertainment.• Handled executive support and administrative functions; i.e., calendar management, extensive travel arrangements, and expense reports. • Prepared press releases and internal and external correspondence.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Identified and conducted in-depth research on prospective clients, and formulated comprehensive reports on findings to be reviewed by senior management.• Created client-ready press clippings, and compiled detailed reports outlining secured press coverage. • Participated in staff meetings, team building activities and weekly workshops.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Coordinated mayoral press appearances and acted as a media liaison at press conferences and events.• Tended to press inquiries, creating protocols for prioritization and best practices for responding to high-pressure media situations.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Screened all incoming calls and appointment requests, and responded to constituent inquiries.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Raised over $500K in donations for the annual “San Francisco Hep B Free” benefit gala by securing sponsors.• Organized support at a public hearing for a $1.4 billion private art collection donation from the Fisher family to the proposed Contemporary Art Museum of the Presidio.• Built a citywide coalition of support for rebuilding California Pacific Medical Center and establishing a new, retrofitted medical campus in San Francisco.• Coordinated a healthcare forum featuring a panel of leading healthcare providers in San Francisco and generating a turnout of over 1,000 people.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Managed the Calendar of Events and Letters to the Editor. • Provided high-level support for special projects. • Reported directly to the Editor-in-Chief.

Public Relations

Activities and Societies: Served as Account Director for PRSSAgency, BU's student-run, PRSA-affiliated public relations agency.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Communication Studies

Dean’s list, cum laude