Barrier breaking, ambitious, community focused and globally-minded leader with nearly three decades of experience developing and directing trailblazing advocacy, development and communication strategies for non-profit organizations and political campaigns.Melissa Thornton has established and operationalized several successful large-scale, complex government and community relations programs, working with federal, state and local government and elected officials on high-stakes legislative, budgetary and public affairs matters. A veteran lobbyist, Melissa has extensive expertise in representing non-profit organizations on a wide variety of issues, including women’s reproductive healthcare & international family planning policy, arts/arts education & cultural affairs and community & economic development. Ms. Thornton has worked as a senior strategist for high-profile political, fundraising, issue and global advocacy campaigns and has expertly developed and led successful public/private strategic partnerships and civic engagement initiatives. In sum, she has unparalleled expertise in building culturally relevant and impactful advocacy, communication and fundraising pipelines that yield high returns. An active board member and volunteer for numerous non-profit, civic and political organizations, she is also a frequent lecturer and panelist.Ms. Thornton is the founder and principal of Thornton Global Strategies, LLC., which she established in 2011 while working in Haiti. She has completed diplomatic training at the United Nations and is currently pursuing a MA in Urban Studies at Fordham University.