Melisa López Franzen

Melisa López Franzen is director of government affairs at Starkey, where she leads strategies to strengthen government and community engagement, enhance organizational visibility and build relationships with policymakers, industry partners and community stakeholders.

Previously, she served as executive director of government and community relations at the University of Minnesota, where she was a member of the President's Cabinet and helped shape legislative priorities and advocacy efforts. She also represented her community in the Minnesota Senate for 10 years, including service as Senate minority leader.

Earlier in her career, Melisa held community relations, employee relations, government affairs and real estate leadership roles at Target Corporation.

In addition to her corporate and public sector experience, Melisa founded Voyageurs Public Affairs and NewPublica, consulting firms specializing in public affairs, strategic communications and public relations. She also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Melisa earned a Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law, a Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Inter American University of Puerto Rico.