Melanie Roussell Newman

Melanie Roussell Newman is senior vice president of communications and culture at Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. She oversees the communications, content innovation, and brand and culture teams. Together, these teams help shape public awareness of the organizations’ programs, services, activities, and brand.

Melanie was the chief communications officer at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. She also led communications at the U.S. Department of Justice, the White House Office of Budget and Management, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama administration. She has also been a national spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee, Obama for America 2008, and the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. 

Melanie has a BA in broadcast journalism from Florida A&M University and an MA in public communication from American University.