I spent 17 years in New York in brand marketing, chasing the kind of career that looks great from the outside. Two rounds of cancer will make you stop and ask whether the life you’re living is actually the one you want. So eventually I stopped waiting, quit, and moved to Bali.
Now I work with people who are sitting on a decision they already know the answer to — they just need help moving. And with brands I genuinely believe in, helping them figure out how to show up.
About
I’ve spent the better part of my career leading large teams, building brand strategy, and figuring out how to get people and organizations unstuck. I’m not corporate about it — I never really was. I lead with honesty, I build on what’s already working, and I’m not interested in telling you what you want to hear if it’s not actually going to help you.
What I care about is you winning. Whether that’s a person figuring out their next move or a brand trying to find its footing — I show up the same way. Direct, collaborative, and genuinely invested in the outcome.
You won’t need to translate yourself for me or show up polished. I’d rather you just show up.
The journey
I’m documenting my own major life shift in real time — leaving NYC, surviving cancer twice, trading a corporate career for something that actually fits. If you’re figuring out your own version of that, follow along. It’s honest, it’s not always pretty, and you won’t find any toxic positivity here.
Follow Along
Services
There are a few ways we can work together depending on what you need.
Brand Marketing Strategy & Consulting
I work with brands I genuinely believe in — the size doesn’t matter, the people and the mission do. If you’re trying to figure out how to show up, build something that actually resonates, or just need a strategic partner who’ll tell you the truth — let’s talk.
1:1 Personal Strategy
For people at a crossroads, in the middle of a major shift, or who just need someone to think out loud with. We can do a single session or work together over time depending on what makes sense for you. I work on a sliding scale and will never turn someone away because of budget — if you need this, reach out.
Work with me
If something on this site resonated — whether you’re a brand, a person figuring out their next move, or just not sure yet — fill out the form below and tell me a little about where you’re at. No pitch, no pressure. Just a conversation.
TESTIMONIALS
I reported to Mel for almost 4 years on the TuneCore marketing team, and it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. She has had a tremendous impact not only on my professional growth, but also on how I think about leadership, communication, and personal development. What makes her exceptional is her leadership style — authentic, assertive, thoughtful, and genuinely caring. She leads with clarity and high standards while always making people feel supported and valued. It’s not common to work for a manager who is both deeply respected across an organization and personally invested in the growth of the people around her, so I always consider myself very lucky. She played a major role in my career development and personal growth, and I’ll always consider her not only a mentor, but also a genuine friend. Thanks again for absolutely everything! To the best 4-years in my career!
Melanie has a rare gift: she makes you want to bring your best work, then somehow makes it even better. She thinks holistically, pulls the right people into the room at the right time, and has the institutional knowledge to back every bold call she makes. Her creativity is contagious — and the result is work that changes how people think.
One thing that has always stood out to me about working with you is your ability to bridge culture, strategy, and people in a very genuine way. Our conversations around TuneCore, Afropop culture, creators, and the evolving global music ecosystem always felt thoughtful, collaborative, and forward-looking rather than transactional.
You have a strong leadership presence that creates space for ideas, perspectives, and partnerships to evolve naturally while still keeping a sharp lens on where culture and business are heading. That combination is rare, and you also have a natural ability to bring people together, create alignment, and make collaboration feel intentional and energizing, all while remaining incredibly grounded and human in how you engage with people and ideas.
I’ve always appreciated how thoughtful, culturally aware, and intentional you are in navigating both the business and human side of partnerships, creators, and ecosystem building.