Melissa is a transparent, team-oriented, art+science brand leader with 20 years of experience in business strategy, marketing and customer experience across retail and service brands, and in corporate and franchise business models.
Before Ellie, Melissa was Chief Marketing Officer at Steele Brands, the parent company of a rapidly-expanding portfolio of franchised restaurants including the healthy salad brand, Crisp & Green. Prior, she led the marketing department at Regis Corporation, the largest franchisor of hair salon brands and held various roles at Target. Early in her career, Melissa worked on technology innovation projects and spent a year living and working in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Melissa’s most meaningful career experience was working to introduce a g-tube friendly kids-clothing line to Target’s Cat & Jack brand, inspired after Melissa’s daughter and featured in a Target documentary titled Design For All.
Melissa studied psychology as a minor in undergrad and has contemplated advanced degrees in the subject, so joining Ellie as a marketing leader feels like the perfect job- combining her career knowledge and her personal interests.
Outside of work, Melissa most enjoys both structured and spontaneous moments with her husband and 2 daughters… and coffee… and wine!
