Faith has been an important companion in Melissa Paone’s career.

As Neumann University’s executive director of marketing and communications, Paone has often taken a leap of faith to achieve success and share impactful and inspiring stories.

Now that faith will guide her as she takes on a new role as president of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association.

The PPRA is the premier organization for communications professionals in the Greater Philadelphia area.

This highly engaged local organization has worked with Philadelphia’s decision-makers since 1945, highlighting the influencers and ideas that make the region great.

Paone will be inducted at the PPPRA annual meeting June 15 at City Winery in Philadelphia.

She brings extensive nonprofit and Catholic organization experience to the role.

“Faith-based ministry is where I excel,” Paone said. “Getting to be a part of missions dedicated to improving people’s lives gets me out of bed in the morning. It makes me feel good that a little piece of what I do serves a bigger purpose.”

Paone’s worked with the Catholic Leadership Institute, Presby’s Inspired Life, and the Philadelphia Foundation.

During her year and four months at Neumann University, she’s offered innovative ideas that have brought national attention to the campus.

“Melissa has brought a fresh viewpoint into the Marketing/Comms department and the University,” said coworker Danielle Friel.

Paone provides an honest and ethical approach to communicating the university’s achievements, said Steve Bell, who also works closely with the executive director.

“In every aspect of her job, she uses her experience and skill to strengthen the reputation of the university and convey its values,” he said.

A story on university students rooming with the sisters of Neumann’s founding religious order, the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia, made it into multiple publications, including the Wall Street Journal, a first for the university.

“It naturally yielded success because it was a very authentic story. It represented the very heart of the mission of the university, ” according to Paone.

Still, a lot of work went on behind the scenes for the story to achieve its media acclaim.

Neumann’s marketing team brought in an agency, worked to get support from the sisters and students, contacted the housing department for more information, held meetings, read articles, exchanged emails, pitched ideas, and continuously planned and strategized.

“I knew there was a lot of work to be done as higher education is competitive and it only gets more competitive as time goes on,” Paone said.

Her team at Neumann credits Paone with cultivating a thriving work environment because of her strong morale, nurturing a work-life balance, and providing a positive place to work.

Paone said she’s most grateful for the people she has met along the way that have touched her life and strengthened her faith.

“People I met at Catholic Leadership were dedicated to making substantial change in communities and they still inspire,” she said.

Whatever role she plays, Paone has looked for opportunities to make positive change and to share the good that is happening in the organization.

Melissa Paone will lead an organization of nearly 300 distinguished members representing a cross-section of Greater Philadelphia’s leading businesses, agencies, and nonprofit organizations.