Merilee McDougal headshot

Merilee McDougal

Adjunct Professor

Part-Time Faculty
Malloy Hall 218
Socials

Biography

Merilee is a skilled veteran marketing and brand strategist who blends creative, consumer first thinking with practical application. She honed her strategy and branding skills at Bain & Company and PepsiCo (Quaker, Gatorade); before applying them to consulting - leveraging insights to uncover what will ‘move’ audiences, and facilitate brand strategies and innovation platforms to drive clients' sustainable growth.  

Merilee is actively involved in social justice efforts in San Francisco - lending her Marketing expertise to several non-profits (Urban Angels SF, Viviendas Leon, Hamilton Families), and leading programs to alleviate suffering and bring joy to our neighbors in need.  

Merilee brings this expertise and stable of real-world examples to draw upon into the classroom.

Expertise

  • Brand strategy
  • Innovation
  • Brand management
  • Consumer communications

Research Areas

  • Marketing
  • Persuasion
  • Social justice

Education

  • University of Chicago, MBA, Marketing & Strategy concentrations, 2000
  • Santa Clara University, BS in Finance & Retail Management, 1993

Prior Experience

  • Adjunct Professor in Marketing & Management, SFSU & Hult International
  • Brand Strategist, variety of freelance roles
  • Sr. Engagement Manager, Prophet
  • Sr. Brand Manager, Innovation Pipeline lead, PepsiCo
  • Strategy Consultant, Bain & Co.

Awards & Distinctions

  • SFSU, Community Engagement Mini-Grant Award Recipient, 2022
  • Urban Angels SF, Holiday Gift Program Impact Award, 2022
  • Golden State Warriors, Impact Warriors Award, 2021