melissa lafranchise

Feb 2025–presentStudent

• Learning best practices for UX writing to craft compelling content that inspires users to act.
• Built skills in user research and testing to make informed content and design decisions and measure impact.
• Mastered the WCAG guidelines to include accessibility at every stage of content design and writing.
• Learned to craft compelling microcopy including best practices for buttons, alerts, forms, error and success messages, and empty states.

Dec 2019–Feb 2025Software Developer II

• Created, maintained, and improved full stack data visualizations based on research performed by IHME with Javascript, React, Node, Sass, PHP, and RESTful APIs.
• Spearheaded the initiative to increase the accessibility of IHME visualizations.
• Recipient of the 2023 IHME Innovator of the Year Award for work on accessibility in data visualization tools.
• Created a process for implementing new UX design across 20+ visualization tools as well as implemented that design in a template and test tool based on Figma mockups.

March 2024Student

• Perfected fundamentals of waterfall and agile project scoping, planning, scheduling, execution, and success measurement.
• Improved understanding of optimal communication planning, strategies, and timing.
• Learned specific techniques for effective documentation and artifact creation.

2019Student, Full Stack Web Development Program

• Gained solid understanding of web development and accessibility best practices.
• Applied these skills to build mobile-first responsive web sites and apps using HTML, CSS, React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL.

2014–2019Caregiver

• Gave birth to twins in May 2014.
• Worked as the primary caregiver, physical therapist, and teacher for two amazing humans.
• Researched child physical and emotional development with emphasis on children recovering from TBI.
• Researched and applied fundamentals of Montessori preschool education.

Aug 2013–May 2014Student Research Asst.

• Maintained and enhanced internship web pages and edited and wrote content for internship blog.
• Created and distributed student surveys; compiled results for review by program director.
• Managed small virtual events during which organizations presented their internships to students.
• Crafted email campaigns to alert students to internship opportunities, events, and deadlines.

Sep 2012–May 2014Student, Master of Library & Information Science

• GPA: 3.97, Theodore Calvin Pease Award, SJSU Nominee, 2013
• Gained an understanding of information organization, web usability, design, and development.
• Learned that the need for a way to organize the world—thereby making knowledge accessible—is fundamental to humans.
• Learned that it is by understanding particular users that LIS professionals can employ effective organizational schemes that enable easy access to needed information.

Dec 2009–Oct 2012Project Manager, Marketing Communications

• Managed expectations as liaison between client department and internal creative teams.
• Defined project objectives and deliverables. Created clear and actionable project plans.
• Engaged creative team and client departments in productive discussions to resolve challenges.
• Tracked progress of materials production ensuring consistency with stated objectives.

Oct 2006–Dec 2009Marketing Communications Manager

• Delivered strategic initiatives despite challenges that cut the marketing budget from $4M to $750K.
• Revitalized brand by improving look, message, and by standardizing application across media.
• Transformed underperforming website by strategizing and leading website overhaul.
• Simultaneously developed sales collateral and website for sister company, Vetericyn, Inc. (2009).

Apr 2006–Oct 2006Channel Marketing Analyst

• Developed channel strategy and regional marketing programs with marketing director and strategy analyst, aligning plans with corporate goals.

Dec 2003–Apr 2006Marketing Communications Specialist

• Managed art direction and production of print collateral. Directed photography, design, and print vendors. Updated company website. Accountable for $500K portion of marketing budget.

1998–2003Various

• April 2000–March 2003: Marketing Assistant, Design Coordinator, Urban Retail Properties Co. | Chicago, IL
• October 1999–April 2000: Brokers’ Assistant, Equis Corporation | Chicago, IL
• February 1998–August 1999: Administrative Assistant, First Bank | Ketchikan, AK

Sep 1993–Aug 1997Student, Bachelor of Art in History of Art

• GPA: 3.33, Regents Alumni Scholar, 1993
• Learned to think critically, research various topics, and write well.
• Gained a wonderful introduction to brilliant and thoughtful artists and their works from around the world.
• Studied the history of art interpretation and analysis.