Since co-founding Thoma Thoma in 1988, Melissa Thoma has been the firm’s marketing lead, providing research analysis, creative direction and strategic development. She has helped clients in virtually every major industry, including health care, energy, technology and financial services.

Among Melissa's clients are Alltel Information Services, a $1 billion dollar information technology company; Entergy, a $6 billion dollar energy services company; Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the sixth largest pediatric medical center in the country; and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Melissa assists clients in many ways. She leads a special practice area focused on marketing to women. Her interest and understanding of branding led to the co-creation of Thoma Thoma’s brand development process, The Brand Navigator System. Melissa also invented The Creativity Catalyst Workshop to help clients view their businesses in new ways.

With a background in journalism, she co-conducts the firm’s media training seminar, The Media Coach Workshop. The Presentation Coach Workshop--designed to develop communication skills in all speaking situations--is based in part on her work as a singer and performer.

Melissa’s dedication to supporting the arts is just as strong as her love of performing. She donates both time and resources to multiple arts organizations and community events, including the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Opus Ball. With Melissa acting as chair of publicity, the event raised a record-setting $636,000 for music education in 2004. She currently serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts.

Before co-founding Thoma Thoma, Melissa owned two graphic design firms--one in Fayetteville, Ark., and one in Little Rock, Ark. She has also served as art director for Arkansas Business, the Arkansas Times and the Quapaw Chronicle newspaper.

Melissa is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.