Melissa Gong Mitchell is Deputy Director for the Global Coalition on Aging, the leading business voice on aging policy and strategy, aimed at reshaping how global leaders approach and prepare for the 21st century's profound shift in population aging. The Coalition uniquely brings together global corporations across industry sectors with common strategic interests in aging populations, a comprehensive and systemic understanding of aging, and an optimistic view of its impact. The Coalition is focused on promoting good public policy and market-based solutions centered on healthy and active aging. In her role, Melissa is responsible for internal and external communication strategies, policy initiatives, member and stakeholder outreach, and partnership development for the Coalition.
She has more than a decade of public affairs experience, specializing in policy-related and CEO-level strategic communications, advocacy campaigns and special events. Currently she serves as a Director at High Lantern Group, a strategic consulting firm that helps position clients and their ideas in the public arena. With offices in New York, Washington and Los Angeles, the firm advises dozens of major global companies and industry trade groups.
Previously, Melissa was Director of Industry Relations and Strategic Outreach at the U.S. Travel Association, responsible for grassroots development and industry initiatives, having driven multiple campaigns leading to positive legislative outcomes. Prior to U.S. Travel, she served as Executive Director of the Travel Business Roundtable, a CEO-based advocacy organization devoted to reframing the policy environment and reputation of the industry, and an associate at Prime Policy Group (formerly BKSH & Associates), a Washington-based government affairs firm. Melissa holds an MBA from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and a BA in Journalism and Psychology from the University of Mississippi.