Melissa Mitchell

Melissa Gong Mitchell is Executive Director of the Global Coalition on Aging, the leading business voice on aging policy and strategy. She also serves as Managing Director at High Lantern Group, a strategic communications consulting firm.

GCOA uniquely brings together global corporations across industry sectors to promote good public policy and market-based solutions centered on healthy and active aging. In her role, Melissa is responsible for the operations and management of the coalition, internal and external communication strategies, and member and stakeholder outreach and development, including fostering relationships and aligning partners across industry, academia, the NGO community, advocacy organizations, governments and global institutions. Melissa has spoken around the world about the opportunities of the aging mega-trend and the role of business in leveraging aging for economic growth.

Her 20+ years of public affairs experience includes specialties in policy-related and CEO-level strategic communications, advocacy campaigns and coalition building.

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, and an associate at Prime Policy Group (formerly BKSH & Associates), a Washington-based government affairs firm.

Melissa holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a BA in Journalism and Psychology from the University of Mississippi.