Melissa Mellor and Derek Turner | Hatcher Group

The Bethesda-based Hatcher Group announced the addition seasoned professionals Melissa Mellor and Derek Turner to oversee its education and equity and opportunity sectors.

Mellor, former senior director of communications for America’s Promise Alliance, will oversee Hatcher’s PreK–12 and higher education clients. Turner, who most recently was chief of engagement, innovation, and operations for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), will oversee Equity and Opportunity projects.

At America’s Promise, Mellor led communications for several initiatives, including GradNation and How Learning Happens. She helped maximize the impact of the organization’s research and amplify youth experiences and perspectives on topics ranging from learning about racism to the pandemic’s effects on education and well-being.

Previously, she led communications for the Aspen Institute National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development, including the release of the Commission’s final report, A Nation at Hope. She also managed government relations outreach at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and held positions at the Council of Chief State School Officers and Education Week.

Turner is a communications strategist with 20 years of experience working at the intersection of communications, equity and innovation. At MCPS, Turner led strategic communications and stakeholder outreach; managed media and crisis responses; and advised the Superintendent and Board of Education in Maryland’s largest school district.

Previously, Turner was director of communications for the Kapor Center for Social Impact and the NAACP. He developed communications campaigns to highlight civil rights and social justice issues, including climate change, criminal justice reform, marriage equality and unconscious bias in hiring.