Melissa O'Malley

Melissa O’Malley serves as Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement at WGU, where she leads strategic communications, brand strategy, events, and fundraising. In this role, she shapes WGU’s identity, advances its national thought-leadership platforms, strengthens donor engagement, and expands the nonprofit’s reach and impact across sectors.

Prior to WGU, Melissa served as Head of International Communications at PayPal, where she shaped and executed global strategies that strengthened brand reputation, internal engagement, and external communications. During her decade-long tenure at PayPal, she held a variety of strategic roles with increasing responsibilities, including her involvement in the separation of PayPal from eBay, positioning the company as an independent market leader.

Earlier in her career, Melissa held several global roles at HP, where she launched cross-channel media and communications initiatives that reshaped how the company engaged with audiences and influencers around the world.

Melissa is a proud dual Irish–U.S. citizen and avid adventurer who rarely turns down a ski day or a chance to get outdoors.