Michelle Mulkey

The Innovator 25:

Michelle Mulkey

Sr. Parter, Corporate Responsibility & Global Impact
FleishmanHillard
San Francisco

“Starbucks and Salesforce seem to embrace more fully than others the morality opportunity of today's private sector.”

For the past seven years, Michelle Mulkey has significantly advanced corporate social responsibility. For instance, Mulkeyhelped advance Visa's CSR leadership following its IPO and was instrumental in the launch of its Better than Cash Alliance, in which Visa and six other founding members, advocate for digital currency to advance women’s empowerment and inclusive growth. She has also led Fleishman's work with Omidyar Network helping to shape thought leadership in financial inclusion, education and impact investing around the world.

How do you define innovation?
To me, innovation is a means to an end. I get bored easily so put myself in the shoes of our audiences and think about what would engage them, impress them and bring them into an experience.

What is the most innovative comms/marketing initiative you've seen in the last 12 months?
The campaign that was ready to have cities and companies leading after Trump pulled out of the Paris Accords.

In your opinion, what brands and/or agencies are most innovative around PR and marketing?
Starbucks and Salesforce seem to embrace more fully than others the morality opportunity of today's private sector.

Describe a moment in your career that you would consider 'innovative.'
Creating a way assess whether its a company's philanthropy programs or communications about those that is failing to impress its stakeholders.

Who do you admire for his/her approach to innovation?
A woman named Stephanie Bailey in our London office is my hero.

How do you get out of a creativity or productivity rut?
Think about what problem I'm really solving for. Too often brainstorms are pursuits of creativity to impress people rather than solve real problems or client shortcomings.

What advice would you give to the PR industry around embracing innovation?
To make it a daily method. Pitching a new client, a reporter or even training younger staff are in as big a need of innovative new approaches as anything else.

In your opinion, what's the most innovative place in the world?
To be honest, the innovation and grit in some of the world's poorest communities.

What's your favorite hobby that's not work-related?
Chit-chatting with my mom friends.

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Michelle Mulkey

Sr. Parter, Corporate Responsibility & Global Impact
FleishmanHillard
San Francisco

“Starbucks and Salesforce seem to embrace more fully than others the morality opportunity of today's private sector.”

North American SABRE Awards

North American SABRE Awards

PRovoke Summit North America

PRovoke Summit North America

Michelle Mulkey

Sr. Parter, Corporate Responsibility & Global ImpactFleishmanHillardSan Francisco

“Starbucks and Salesforce seem to embrace more fully than others the morality opportunity of today's private sector.”

North American SABRE Awards

North American SABRE Awards

PRovoke Summit North America

PRovoke Summit North America

Sr. Parter, Corporate Responsibility & Global Impact
FleishmanHillard
San Francisco