Melissa Chernaik

Senior Analyst

For more than 15 years, Melissa Chernaik has brought winning messaging, communication, and tactical expertise to progressive organizations and campaigns. Among other projects, Melissa heads up Grove Insight's cutting-edge work on LGBT rights—and has helped our clients who work to extend marriage to gay and lesbian couples develop entirely new message directions that have become a national model.

"Try to name a job in politics that Melissa has not held," has the makings of a winning drinking game. Prior to joining Grove Insight, Melissa held positions ranging from direct mail consultant to Communications Director, Caucus Director to ballot measure GOTV Director. As a result, Melissa brings a unique perspective to polling, having spent so many years as the consumer of the very data and analysis she now purveys. It's one of the reasons Grove Insight analyses are so actionable; having had to "translate" pollster-speak into action as a Communications, Campaign and Field Director, Melissa is an fervent advocate for user-friendly analysis reports that give her clients exactly the information they need to succeed.

When not at work, Melissa's usually running with her dog Flynn or enjoying a great meal with her foodie husband Jeff (a wonderful cook). And if she's neither at work nor at their home in Portland’s Alberta Arts District, look for a "gone backpacking" sign on the door.