Melanie is passionate about making societies and economies operate within planetary boundaries. She believes that systems thinking and innovation are key to achieving this goal.

Melanie graduated from the University of Waterloo’s Master of Environmental Studies in Sustainability Management program in December 2023. Prior to her graduate studies, Melanie received an Honours Specialization in Environmental Science degree at Western University and an Honours Business Administration degree from the Ivey Business School. Melanie’s experiences include building an ESG integration strategy at an institutional investor, working at an ESG data technology start-up, supporting the development of the Deshkan Ziibi Conservation Impact Bond, and teaching guest lectures on the topic of ESG Data and Ratings Management at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. She also has experience researching the conservation and biology of species at risk in South Africa, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

As Operations Manager, Melanie offers high-level coordination of Innovation North’s activities and the transition from the Lab to the Working Groups.