What’s at your core?

The sapwood is the living core layer
that transports water up
and down the trunk of a tree.
It surrounds the heartwood -
the column that gives each tree its strength.

Sapwood Communications excels at helping you identify the heart of your story - whether that’s to build your brand, create an engaging case study, or design an outreach strategy. Together, we’ll ensure your core ideas make an impact.

Smiling woman with shoulder-length hair outdoors, standing under leafy branches with brick wall in background.

Meet Melissa Galvez

When I was little, I wanted my superpower to be storytelling - and that hasn’t changed. I’ve been an 8th grade English teacher, award-winning public radio reporter, public policy student, and communications professional. I’ve lived in diverse communities - from New York to Spain, Texas to Washington DC. I found that what I love is to listen deeply to others, help them find their core ideas, and bring those to life through story and outreach. I work with people and organizations who want to make the world a better place.

Let’s Partner

Brand Building and Comms Planning

What’s at your living core? What moves you, or powers your organization? Through conversation, research, and iteration, I’ll help you refine your brand and figure out how you can use marketing and communications to reach a specific goal.

Copywriting and Editing

No great story should sit on a shelf - or remain hidden on a website. I’ll ensure we have a plan to share your brand and your content through email, social media, earned media/ PR, conferences, digital strategy, and more. We may also set up systems to help you collect impact stories, measure your marketing, and follow up with leads.

Content Distribution, Lead Gen, and Data

I have over 20 years of experience writing in every style, from op eds to blogs, case studies, action guides, white papers, 2 pagers, website copy, radio stories, video scripts, and even fiction. I’ll ensure your core ideas come to life to inform and inspire your audience.

Children in a classroom engaging in various activities at their desks with a teacher assisting them. The room has colorful educational materials and supplies on shelves.

Building a more informed, connected civil society

I’m fascinated by a wide range of topics and can quickly get to know almost any subject. But I’ve spent over 20 years either working in, writing about, or educating myself on the following:

  • I have a particular expertise in education issues, from teacher preparation to leader development, school and state finance, student-centered learning, and innovative school designs.

  • I have volunteered on campaigns and with pro-voting organizations, and care deeply about repairing our divisions and fixing democracy to move us towards a more perfect union.

  • As a reporter, I particularly enjoyed writing about health and science, asking experts just the right questions to ensure that non-experts could understand. I also have a background in history, museums, and theater, and I care deeply about sustaining those vital human pursuits.

Reach Out

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly.