Melinda is a Partner with Happen and the founder of the North American division.  Melinda has 20+ years of experience in consumer and customer marketing and strategy, with particular expertise in customer experience, new product innovation and brand positioning.  Most recently, Melinda was President and General Managing Partner for Synecticsworld where she launched the Canadian office, spearheaded the re-branding and repositioning of the firm and grew the business significantly.

While passionate about all areas of innovation, Melinda’s expertise lies in insight-led marketplace potential.  Melinda works with clients to reach into the deep structure of consumer wants and needs, activate new ideas, and ultimately stretch to make breakthrough discoveries. She enjoys working in a wide range of industries including publishing, FMCG, retail, financial services, and pharmaceuticals.

Prior to becoming one of North America’s leaders in catalyzing innovation, Melinda held senior marketing, research, and innovation consulting positions with Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, Kraft Foods and Sklar Wilton & Associates. She has designed and facilitated hundreds of innovation programs, is a certified Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and is trained in timeline therapy and hypnotherapy.

Melinda has an MBA from The Richard Ivey School of Business and a B.A.S. from York University. She runs Graduate Level Innovation Skills and Practical Application Programs at Ivey Business School and Rotman School of Management . She is on the Ivey Council for Entrepreneurship and the PDMA Council (the premier global advocate for Product Development & Management). Melinda’s dedication and focus is reflected both in her work and in her personal life. When Melinda is not busy leading innovation work, she enjoys running marathons and cycling. She recently completed her second Iron Man competition in Penticton, BC. She is a founding member of Les Domestiques, a philanthropic movement committed to promoting a safe and vibrant culture of cycling in Canada.

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