Porter Novelli (PN), a global public relations leader, announced that Melissa Kraus Taylor has been named managing director of the agency’s Atlanta office. Taylor is responsible for talent management and the strategic growth of the office, reporting to Brad MacAfee, president, North America.
“Melissa is a true leader at Porter Novelli. She not only has been instrumental in the success of the Atlanta office, but she has also had her hand in countless significant global initiatives during her time at the agency,” said MacAfee. “Her efforts have been particularly powerful when it comes to talent, and helping to build and enhance Porter Novelli as a workplace committed to constant learning and development for our team.”
Most recently, Taylor served as executive vice president and deputy managing director in Atlanta, working hand-in-hand with MacAfee who she succeeds in the role. A 17-year Porter Novelli veteran, Taylor has extensive experience in strategic planning, training, facilitation, team development and strategic message development and positioning. She has led strategic planning in Porter Novelli’s London and Atlanta offices.
“Porter Novelli has been my home for nearly two decades. I am a passionate believer in our commitment to doing well by doing good — through both our work for clients and our relentless focus on talent,” said Taylor. “I am so proud to lead the amazing team in Atlanta and build on the success we’ve seen under Brad’s leadership.”
Taylor co-created and is a dean of Porter Novelli’s formal global professional development program, Greater Than University, and helped create and lead the agency’s client service excellence initiative.
Taylor earned her master’s degree in health communication from the University of Maryland, College Park and for more than a decade has taught social marketing at Emory University’s Graduate School of Public Health, where she was named Emory Adjunct Faculty Honoree for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring. She is a trained focus group moderator and certified professional coach.