picture of podcast guest Melissa Walker, VP of Finance at Dollywood

How Strategic Planning Grows, Guides, and Protects the Dollywood Brand

Melissa leads a finance team responsible for Financial Reporting, Strategic Planning, Annual Budgeting, Quarterly Forecasting, Development and Analytics. The scope of her work includes Dollywood Theme Park, Dollywood’s Splash Country, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Dollywood Development.

Her philanthropy work includes serving as President on the Board of Directors for Kingdom Design Ministries, Committee Chair for Fantasy of Trees and Women’s Ministry leader at her church.

Dolly Parton is America’s most beloved artist, and each year, millions of people flock to East Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains to make new memories at her Dollywood theme park and resorts.

In this episode of the podcast, we get to hear from The Dollywood Company’s VP of Finance, Melissa Walker.

We cover a lot of ground in this episode:

  • What was the Dollywood strategic plan’s role in response to COVID lockdowns in 2020-2021.
  • How is Dollywood handling the post-COVID brand experience now?
  • The Dollywood brand experience is cherished by generations — how does strategic planning handle the demand for tradition and innovation?


Melissa was very generous with her time and gave us a practical look into how strategic planning guides, grows, and protects the Dollywood brand.

You do not want to miss this episode.

daimen carter

designer

  • Web designer
  • Web UX and UI specialist
  • Front end web developer
jess smith

strategic ops lead

  • Process development and implementation
  • Content development coordinator
  • Technical Project Management
john marshall

creative lead

  • Multifaceted designer for web, print, and video
  • Concept development
  • Deck design expert
nibir

wordpress engineer

  • Front end web developer
  • WordPress expert
  • Shopify, WIX, and BigCommerce expert
janine huldie

project manager

  • Project liaison
  • Keeps projects moving, big picture
  • Web Maintenance
brennan zagami

lead copywriter

  • Vibe, Tribe, & Why® Facilitator
  • Brand Experience Guide™ Copywriter
  • Web and Marketing Copywriter and Editor
daniel crask, founder of brand shepherd
daniel crask

brand strategist

  • Customer-first approach to brand clarity.
  • Creator of the Vibe, Tribe, & Why® brand clarity framework for business development.
  • Interests: his four children, writing music, health, exercise, and gardening.