Melissa Thoma
Co-Founder & Principal, Thoma Thoma
Melissa Thoma co-founded Thoma Thoma in 1988, following her experience as a graphic designer. While her focus has evolved to mostly high-level strategy for Thoma clients, she is still not afraid to get her hands dirty and her right brain engaged as the constant creative catalyst of the firm. Melissa Thoma and her husband, Martin Thoma, founded the firm 22 years ago, they’ve expanded their philanthropic efforts while holding one tradition in place, that of donating $1,000 to a charity, then creating a holiday card in that charity’s honor. Nonprofit paying clients also receive a 25 percent discount from the agency, and Thoma Thoma annually devotes some 5 percent of its annual revenue — anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 — to a pro bono budget for Arkansas charities and nonprofits, a cumulative donation that the firm estimates at more than $1 million.