Melissa Farmer Richards

Melissa Farmer Richards, MPA, APR

“You have helped me uncover strengths I never knew I had and guided my career in a way no one has ever taken the time to do… I have learned so much about what it means to be a good leader because of how you gently guided us when you needed to while empowering us to be our best and believe in ourselves and our team.”

– Former employee

Professional Leadership

CNY Women’s Network

Member

November 2024 – present

CenterstateCEO

Member

October 2024 – present

The Upside

Member

2025

Public Relations Society of America

Professional member and frequent conference speaker

Anvil Awards Judge

APR Panel Coordinator

Public Relations Society of America

Board member and Chair for the Northeast District

2025

Board member and President for the Central New York chapter

2021 – 2024

American Marketing Association

Professional member and frequent conference speaker

2006 – present

Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

District III Board of Directors

2019

Conference Programing Committee, co-chair for Marketing and Communications conference tracks

2013 and 2014

ASXL Rare Research Endowment

Founding Advisory Board Member

2018 – 2023

College Communicators Association of Virginia and D.C.

Board member

2011-15 and 2018-20

Membership secretary

2012-15

University of Virginia Alumni Association

Numerous chapter officer roles including vice president, secretary, and young alumni committee chairperson; serves on the Class of 1993 Reunions Committee

Girl Scouts of America

Virginia Skyline Council board member

2018-20

Troop #397 founder and leader

2009-11

TEDxVirginiaTech and TEDxStLawrenceU

Co-founded and collaborated to produce five major events

Blacksburg Children’s Museum (now Wonder Universe)

One of four founders

2010-14

Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY)

Board Member

2016-17

“Melissa is a thorough professional whose experience and insights, delivered in an engaging and genuinely helpful style, were of great value to new and aspiring marcomm leaders.”

– Conference attendee

Professional Awards

AMA

Nominee for American Marketing Association (AMA) Nonprofit Marketer of Year 2022

twitter

Named one of 30 Vice Presidents to Follow 2018 by Leadership in the Digital Age

Public Relations Society of America logo

2018 Summit Award Silver
Media Relations (government/education category) for Sweet Briar College’s Tuition and Curricular Reset: Excellent. Relevant. Fierce.

CASE Council for Advancement and Support of Education

Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence Awards

2023 Silver Award, Publications
Student Recruitment, Individual Publications

2022 Gold Award, Magazines
Special Editions, Hamilton College’s We Are Hamilton

2018 Bronze Award, Institutional Branding
Sweet Briar College’s FIERCE Brand Campaign

CASE

Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III (team projects)

2013 Grand Award
TEDxVirginiaTech 2012

2012 Special Merit Award
Virginia Tech
“I Invent” brand campaign

2012 Special Merit Award
Virginia Tech
Magazine redesign

2011 Special Merit Award
Virginia Tech
“Invent Your Future” admissions microsite

2011 Special Merit Award
Virginia Tech
“IMPACT” advertising series

2010 Special Merit Award
Virginia Tech
Brand Ambassador Certification Program

2009 Special Merit Award
Virginia Tech
“Invent Your Future” Undergraduate Admissions Campaign