Melissa Cressey serves as the Vice President of Global Strategies at DSPolitical, where she leads business development and client engagement for both domestic and international clients. DSPolitical pioneers the best integration of data and technology to persuade audiences and deliver wins with the most efficient and effective digital advertising campaigns in progressive politics and public affairs. 

Prior to joining DSPolitical, Cressey served as Development Director and Conference Coordinator for the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC). Her earlier work included stints as Development Planner at Appleseed Foundation, where she managed and directed the day-to-day work within the development department, and Vice President of Customer Services at Advocacy Data, where she specialized in email targeting for progressive campaigns and organizations.

She is originally from Arizona but spent most of her childhood growing in northern Sweden where she was also able to take advantage of the country’s incredible education system receiving her degree in political science with a focus on American politics and the European Union with a minor in economics and civil law from Karlstad University. Cressey is also a 2008 American University Washington Semester alumni.

Melissa has been recognized as a 2015 Campaigns & Elections Magazine Rising Star, the recipient of the 2013 AAPC Extraordinary Leadership Award and the 2012 AAPC Distinguished Service Award. She is currently on the board of the TransAtlantic Progressive Campaign Committee and has served on the board of SWEA DC, is a former AAPC Pollie Committee Contest Co-Chair and AAPC 40 under 40 Co-Chair.