Lynne Mello named chief marketing and communications officer

Lynne Mello, a marketing and communications professional with more than 15 years of experience in private industry and higher education, has been appointed chief marketing and communications officer. She joins President Kelli Armstrong’s senior leadership team and will collaborate with stakeholders across campus to advance the core values of the University’s Strategic Compass while also working to expand the institution’s national visibility.

“Salve is truly fortunate to welcome Lynne to our community as we work to elevate our institutional profile,” Armstrong said. “She is a talented, collaborative leader known for building strong teams and relationships, and she has a deep appreciation for our special mercy mission.”

Mello has served as associate vice president of marketing and communications at Roger Williams University since 2017, where she helped lead the institution’s strategic direction, management and measurement of integrated marketing, branding and communications.

“I want to continue to serve a university that is helping students make a positive impact on the world,” Mello said. “I am impressed with Salve Regina’s mission of mercy and focus on tradition, and I see great potential for the Salve Regina brand. I am excited about the opportunity to work directly with President Armstrong and senior leadership to evolve and amplify Salve in this highly competitive market.”

At Salve Regina, Mello will oversee and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications plan that amplifies the University’s foundational values of providing a purpose-driven education within its compassionate and inclusive mercy community.

Mello will lead an experienced strategic communications team in providing a wide range of support across the institution by telling the Salve Regina story through digital content, print design, marketing campaigns, social media, videography and photography, media relations and the magazine, Report from Newport.

“From the moment I stepped on campus, I could feel that there was something special about this community,” Mello said. “And as I talked with and learned from team members, it became clear that the Salve mission is incredibly authentic, relevant and distinctive. I’m honored to serve in this new role and work to increase awareness of this jewel by the water.”

Prior to joining Roger Williams, Mello worked for 12 years at global toy manufacturer Tomy Company, serving in multiple leadership positions, including as vice president of marketing and communications. At Tomy, Mello managed an annual advertising and promotion budget of $3 million to develop marketing strategies supporting an infant brand portfolio representing $130 million in sales.