S. Michele Nix is the Principal Senior Strategist and Chief Communications Officer at Ridge Global, the international security, risk management and business consulting firm founded by Tom Ridge, the first Secretary of Homeland Security and 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania. Ms. Nix leads Ridge Global's communications, media, marketing and branding functions and serves as the company's chief spokesperson. Additionally Ms. Nix partners with internal and external team members to ensure that organizational development, business strategy and client services are consistent with the company's core principles and premier reputation. Ms. Nix previously served as a senior public affairs official to Secretary Ridge at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For eight years prior, she was a consultant, focusing on executive visibility, reputation management, crisis communication, speechwriting and media training for high-profile CEOs and prominent national political figures. Before that, Ms. Nix served as a member of President George H. W. Bush's White House speechwriting team and later as a senior corporate communications aide to the chairman of MCI Telecommunications. A published author, Ms. Nix lectures on the subjects of presidential address, leadership communication and public messaging and currently serves as a member of the Center for the Strategic Study of the Presidency, the World Affairs Council and the European Institute. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Texas and an M.A. in Public Communication from American University.