About Me

Hi! I’m Melissa Jane Ung, born and raised in Reno, Nevada (aka the Biggest Little City in the World).

I’m a proud two-time University of Nevada, Reno alumna, where I earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, with emphases in strategic communications and news and a minor in psychology, and a Master of Business Administration. Together, those experiences have allowed me to blend my passion for storytelling with a strong foundation in business, marketing and strategic communications.

I’m passionate about bringing people together through storytelling, events and creative content. Whether I’m checking out a new restaurant, highlighting a local event, sharing hidden gems around Reno-Tahoe or capturing unforgettable moments, I love being part of the experiences that help people discover and appreciate the community I call home.

My day job is pretty iconic…I’m the Event Coordinator for The Great Reno Balloon Race, the world’s largest free hot air balloon event. Getting to help create experiences that bring thousands of people together is something I never take for granted. My love for community doesn’t stop when I leave work. I’m passionate about giving back and proudly volunteer with the Reno Rodeo Foundation, STEP2 and other local nonprofits whenever I can.

One of my favorite creative projects is Like Cat & Mel, a sister lifestyle blog my sister and I created for fun. It’s our fun little corner of the internet where we share local adventures, food & lifestyle inspiration, sisterhood moments and whatever shenanigans we get into.

When I’m not working or planning my next piece of content, you can probably find me at Tremble for my daily pilates fix, attending a concert (or another event) or saying yes to just about any adventure.