Hi - I’m Melissa.

When I was 11 years old, I taught myself to code. It felt like the whole world had unlocked — like I could build anything. But no one ever encouraged me to keep going.

But luckily, I did anyway.

I went to business school, worked in early-stage startups, and eventually co-founded Canada Learning Code — a national organization that’s helped more than 1 million people gain digital skills, taught hundreds of thousands of learners, raised over $50 million, and influenced how Canada thinks about the future of work.

Along the way, I’ve been recognized with honors like Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, the RBC Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a Governor General’s Award, and even a one-of-a-kind Barbie created in my likeness — but the real impact, to me, is measured by the futures changed for so many women and girls across the country.

Now, in my next chapter, I’m focused on building and backing ventures that combine purpose and prosperity helping people and organizations own the future they want to create. And through my work as a teacher and speaker, I share the frameworks and lessons I’ve learned along the way to help others bring bold ideas to life.

If you’re here, chances are you believe, like I do, that the future is something we build.

Let’s build things that matter, together!

Connect with Me

Awards & Recognition

  • Melissa was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. This awards program identifies outstanding young achievers in Canadian business, visionaries and innovators changing the way things are done. They are inspiring others and already giving back to their communities and to Canada.

  • Melissa was one of twelve women globally recognized as a Barbie Role Model; receiving her very own one-of-a-kind (OOAK) Barbie doll. The one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls are the highest honour from the Barbie brand and are a key pillar of the Barbie Dream Gap Project, designed to honour women who are breaking boundaries to inspire the next generation of girls.

  • Melissa was recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women. This award celebrates the incredible actions and accomplishments of rising stars, the top of their field, community leaders and champions for others.

  • Melissa was recognized wth The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards for Social Change. This award recognizes female business owners from across Canada who make impressive and substantial contributions to the local, Canadian or global economy.

  • Melissa was award by the Governor General of Canada with an award in Commemoration of the Persons Case. This award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the goal of equality for women and girls in Canada. Recipients come from all parts of the country and from all walks of life.