Melissa Hensley has successfully led strategic communications teams and provided executive counsel for more than 20 years.

As president of M. Hensley Consulting, she provides strategic communications services to corporate, public and nonprofit clients. Her professional expertise is in developing and implementing strategic, integrated communications campaigns with measurable results. Industry experience includes economic development, energy, technology and the arts. 

Prior to founding M. Hensley Consulting, Melissa served as Senior Director, Communications, for NRG and subsidiary Reliant Energy, where she led the Fortune 500’s communications strategy through a period of significant organizational change to protect company reputation and brand, support consumer and investor trust, and maintain employee engagement and peak performance.

Melissa previously held the post of Chief Marketing Officer for Choose New Jersey, serving on the leadership team that launched the Garden State’s new economic development marketing organization, including program design, team build-out, and the development of business practices and strategic plan.

Prior to her move to New Jersey, she was Vice President, Communications for the Greater Houston Partnership, leading the marketing communications team to increase awareness of the Partnership and support the organization’s economic development, public policy and membership goals.

Melissa has served on the boards of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau and Avenue Community Development Corp. She received her BA in political science from St. Edward’s University in Austin and her MBA with a marketing focus from the C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston. She currently resides in Houston, Texas.