Melissa Cressey
Vice President of Global Strategies
DSPolitical International
This month, AAPC caught up with our very own 40 Under 40 Awards Program Co-Chair, Melissa Cressey!
Our newly launched Volunteer Spotlight feature puts our amazing volunteers front and center in the AAPC Community! We want to use this unique opportunity to thank the wonderful individuals that continuously donate their time and energy to help AAPC thrive. We encourage all AAPC members to connect with these star volunteers to thank them for their hard work! To be featured in our next Volunteer Spotlight, or to volunteer for an upcoming event, contact Angela Pubal at apubal@theaapc.org.
AAPC: Tell us about yourself and what you do.
Melissa: I’m originally from Arizona but mainly grew up in Sweden. My love for American politics is the reason I moved to DC a little over 9 years ago. I serve as the Vice President of Global Strategies at DSPolitical & DSPolitical International. DSPolitical is the leading online ad network for Democrats and progressive organizations, having served billions of impressions in all 50 states including Washington DC and across the world. Earlier this year, I switched my role from only focusing on domestic clients to mainly working with our international company.
AAPC: When did you become an AAPC member and what prompted you to join?
Melissa: I actually started out on the AAPC staff as an intern in 2008 when the association still had their offices on the Hill. After a couple of months I was asked to join the association as a full time employee and suddenly a part-time 4 month internship led to over two years of employment with the association and I’ve been a member ever since. I believe in the power of the network, that we as a bipartisan organization can learn from each other and help one another thrive to make this world a better place.
AAPC: Tell us about your volunteer experience with AAPC–what you’ve worked on in the past or upcoming projects.
Melissa: I’ve been involved in several committees ever since I left the association as an employee, including the Program Committee and the Contest Committee. The last three years I’ve served as the Co-Chair, along side Tim Rosales from The Wayne Johnson Agency, of the 40 under 40 Committee. I think that there’s nothing more important than acknowledging and introducing the next generation of consultants to our membership.
AAPC: Why did you decide to become a volunteer?
Melissa: I still really wanted to be involved after I wasn’t an employee of the association anymore. I think it’s valuable to have members involved in the association and give their input to help the association develop and thrive.
AAPC: What is your favorite part about being a volunteer?
Melissa: I find it extremely rewarding to hear what my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have to say when it comes to developing a panel for a conference, a program during an event or recruit judges for 40 under 40. Brainstorming ideas together in order to make an idea perfect is a lot of fun.
AAPC: How has volunteering with AAPC impacted your career?
Melissa: As one of the youngest members of the association it has given me the chance to meet and learn from some of the top consultants with amazing campaign war stories. To be known by some of the greatest and learn from them is priceless.
AAPC: What is the benefit of volunteering with AAPC?
Melissa: Being able to help make the association better. By being a volunteer you have a seat at the table.
AAPC: Why do you think it is important to give back to the industry?
Melissa: Why wouldn’t one give back to the industry? First of all, I think it’s important to be involved, if you’re not involved you can’t really complain about the outcome. Second, you grow both personally and professionally. Lastly, it’s a lot of fun!
