Resumé

Enterprise & Innovation

Design Scientist, Complex Systems Theorist, Futurologist | Jan 2009 >>

Design scientist, systems theorist, and futurologist delivering board-level advisories to corporate, government, and NGO clients across the built environment, utilities, manufacturing, engineering, design, publishing, media, and communications sectors.

Having first interrogated the potentialities of biomaterials and anticipated the concept that would become cradle-to-cradle design in the early 90s while still an undergraduate, Melissa has researched and developed seminal biodesign, biomimetic, and biotechnology concepts across fields including textiles, fashion, architecture, urban planning, and infrastructure.

A serial entrepreneur who has founded, co-founded, advised, and mentored several first-to-market start-ups across multiple emerging sectors including digital B2B, B2C, and hybrid models, hers is hands-on executive-level experience at the coalface of innovation; researching, developing, and commercialising market-creating concepts. Her trademark is delivering technically and strategically informed analyses that accommodate for complexity at the local and global scale in the present, and in the near and far future.

​Specialist fields:

• planetary, ecological, biological, and geological futures

• bioscience; biodesign, biofacturing, and biourbansim

• ecological, biocentric, circular, and regenerative design

• urban resilience to natural hazards and other complex risks

• emerging technologies and concepts and their applications

• sustainable innovation, development, and enterprise
  

  
  Past experience include:

• Expert advisor to a major airline on the future of travel

• Expert advisor to a leading trends consultancy on the future of cities and health

• Expert advisor to an Australian government organisation on the future of design, manufacturing, distribution, & commerce

• Co-author of a report on the threat of nano/micro pollutants to oceans & possible current and future means of mitigation through design & materials innovation

• Expert advisor on design and manufacturing futures to executive R&D team at a leading global manufacturer

• Expert advisor & media figurehead to a white paper of the future of technology & the recruitment market for a leading recruitment group

• Contributor to a white paper on the future of events and public gatherings

• Expert advisor & workshop collaborator developing goods for the future home for a leading global FMCG group

• Field expert & speaker to a workshop exploring the future home and home living, Singularity University, California

• Field expert to a workshop developing future communications technology services and products for a global commnuications company

• Consultant & speaker — the Inventing the Future think tank, held at the Royal Society.

• Contributing to the Inventing the Future white paper, which discussed what technical & scientific careers will look like in the future & what skills will be needed to satisfy these new occupations

• Fellow of the British Council co-created UnBox Labs future cities laboratory at the National Institute of Design, India

• Expert advisor & workshop collaborator on future cities & urban design to various leading construction and real estate companies

• Expert advisor on world futures social & environmental to numerous clients globally

Further past clients include Toyota Motor Corporation, Unilever, Virgin group, Vodafone group, Hershey's, Grosvenor, CW Jobs, SUEZ group, Studio IntO, easyJet, among many others.

Recognition of her foresight & futurism expertise include:

• Ranked a Top 20 global futurist by Springwise.

• Ranked a Top 30 woman futurist in the Futurist Rankings list.

• Ranked a Top 100 most influential futurist worldwide in the Futurist Rankings list.

Founding Director, Bioratorium®, London | Jan 2019 >>

Biofuturism and bioinnovation consultancy Bioratorium® and its lab Labioratorium® serve to interrogate the possible future potentialities of bio-informed, bio-inspired, and bio-material science, technology, engineering, design, and thinking in and beyond the built environment.

Helping clients to identify possible opportunities and risks, including new products, markets, and business models, its services include scenario planning, horizon scanning, trend identification, analysis, and extrapolation; speculative design and design fictions; workshops and talks; strategic advisories on issues of innovation, sourcing, talent acquisition, budgeting, and project management ; and curation of courses, publications, exhibitions, and events.

Fields for which it provides expert-level insights include ecosystemic design and production, and ecological systems thinking, including circular design and regenerative design, among others. Bioratorium® also collaborates with seminal experts across the bio-fields to produce open access content on biodesign, biomaterials, biotechnology, and biofabrication, such as its BIOfutures series of livestream chats, zines, and other publications.

See www.bioratorium.com

Founding Director, Panarchic Codex®, London | Jan 2018 >>

Panarchic Codex® emerged from an unprecedented transdisciplinary research programme that explored the intricate interplay between human and non-human systems, both living and non-living, over deep time and space.

A seminal, bio-inspired design framework, it addresses the challenge of living with wildfire through the mimicry of traits of plant species that have evolved to live in fire-prone environments. These insights are translated into cutting-edge design concepts that not only respond to wildfire, but also inform wider investigations into the development of bespoke biomimetic, bioengineered, and biotechnological architectural, urban, and landscape interventions, inventions, and innovations.

Drawing on leading-edge research from several rapidly advancing scientific, technological, humanistic, and artistic disciplines, the codex synthesises data from a diversity of forms, fields, epochs, and R&D communities. Sources include comprehensive literature reviews, international field studies, in vitro and design studio experiments, and in-depth interviews with foremost experts across multiple academic and commercial domains.

Panarchic Codex® offers a suite of digital, print, and hybrid learning resources including pamphlets, essays, ebooks, codes, scenarios, fictions, lectures, workshops, and more. Rooted in insights and ideas first developed during Melissa’s PhD research — and continuously expanded through ongoing studies into wildfire-resilient architecture and urbanism — this body of work underpins the Design for Wildfire school, opening in 2025.

See www.panarchiccodex.com

Founding Director, Bionic City®, London | Jan 2010 >>

Bionic City® seeks to answer the question “how would nature design a city?” and examines the potential of biomimetics, biotechnology and biology in the built environment in the now, near and far future. The world’s first biofutures boutique consultancy, award-winning Bionic City® creates its own original research, concepts and creative works, while also collaborating with leading interdisciplinary scientists, designers, architects, technologists, and artists worldwide. Its digital magazine [Est. 2013] has over 67,000 followers and its content has had over 3,000,000 shares.

Bionic City® evolved from an extended enquiry into how ecosystems have evolved in symbiosis with natural hazards and disruptions including eruptions, flooding, drought, heatwaves, earthquakes, landslides, and other geological failures. Its name reflects the fact that bionics was the foundational research field, in tandem with the idea that through bionic design interventions cities and other built environments can attain resilience to both internal and external disasters.

Bionic City® has gained coverage in wide-ranging press and media, and its research has been presented at leading academic, industry, and public conferences and festivals worldwide. A concept discussed in several cover stories for national and international magazines, some of its early works are available open access via a number of publishing platforms.

Seminal in its field, Bionic City® was the first initiative to explore the potential of bionics, biomimetics, and biodesign to build city-scale resilience to natural hazards, and to adopt an ecosystemic approach to sustainability and innovation at the urban scale.

Now integrated into Bioratorium®, its archive (>2019) can be found at www.bioniccity.co.uk

Founding Director, New Frontiers | Oct 2008 >< Dec 2010

New Frontiers was an award-winning interdisciplinary collaborative innovation programme that provided opportunities and stimulus for new sustainable design, running a number of seminars on the subject and facilitating online conversations through social media. Its 20 knowledge-sharing partners included Royal Society of Chemistry, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Centre for Construction Innovation, Chemicals Northwest and the universities of Manchester, Loughborough and Salford. The initiative was guided by a 30-strong panel of leaders in sustainable science, technology and design for the built environment.

Founding Director, Societás, London | Jun 2004 >< Nov 2010

Founded in 2004 as a creative catalyst, London-based Societás comprised a multi award-winning sustainability innovation think tank, collaborative laboratory and strategic consultancy, which, seminal in its field, brought together world-class international creative and intellectual talent to co-create groundbreaking projects in and across design, media and the visual arts.

Co-Founder, Creative Graduate Prize | Jun 2004 >< Dec 2010

The world's first online visual arts awards, Creative Graduate Prize kick-started the careers of talented emerging visual artists worldwide, bringing their work to the attention of international leaders in the creative industries. Categories spanned photography, painting, illustration, installation, short film and digital media. Supported by pioneering visual arts magazines, institutes, networks and galleries globally, the prize attracted entries and media coverage from several continents. Winners spread as far and wide as USA, China, UK and Europe.

Co-Founder, Iconique Societás Awards | Jan 2007 >< Jul 2010

The world's first online fashion arts awards, co-founded by Melissa and Dutch creative director Joost van Gorsel, Iconique Societás Awards brought the global spotlight to the very best emerging international talent in fashion photography, illustration, and styling. A joint venture between top-10 fashion zine Iconique and Societás, the awards attracted entries from several continents and coverage in China, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, USA, Canada, UK, and Europe.

Marketing & Media Director, RClub, London | Mar 2003 >< May 2004

RClub (The Renaissance Club) was the world's first online private members club and pioneered new developments in digital communications and marketing, as well as pop-up events and experiences which integrated mulitple tradtional and emerging concepts and media.

Projects and activities directed by Melissa included the launch the club members' magazine, of which she was co-editor, and the creation of media partnerships, promotions, sponsorships, affiliations and events with leading luxury brands, and media and entertainment groups, including Jazz FM [Guardian Media Group].

She was creative director and senior event producer of several high profile events, including fashion shows integrating state-of-the-art audio-visual VJ and DJ sets and/or live performances for world-renown designers including tailor Mark Powell, milliner Louis Mariette, and lingerie brand Coco de Mer; and further events events including album launches and several fundraisers.

Melissa was also one of the three principle directors of the world's longest-ever party, which lasting 29-days and comprised rolling events for up to 1,200 club members, celebrities, royalty, and press at a time, took place across leading luxury venues in the UK and Europe, and featured premier music and other live entertainment acts, with all profits donated to UK charities.

Client Relations Director, LondonLaunch, London | Oct 2001 >< Mar 2003

Having joined first-to-market online event network LondonLaunch when it was just several weeks old to act as a consultant on its start-up operations, became Client Relations Director after 3 months. She created and implemented the strategy to diversify the company’s services into publishing, sponsorship and event production, brokered several media partnerships and organised a number of prestigious high profile networking events for industry leaders, including one dubbed the 'networking party of the year' by Events Specialist magazine, of which attendees included executives from FTSE 100 companies, and press and media including the BBC.

Her responsibilities also included editing the company's event industry handbook and its quarterly magazine, directing marketing and communications, designing trade show stands and promotional materials, and anchoring sponsorship and collaborations with leading national and international event suppliers and venues.

Head of Business Development, Think Pod, London | Mar 2001 >< Oct 2001

Think Pod was a cutting edge London design studio specialising in design for print, new media and packaging, which was in operation between 2001 and 2003. Melissa joined the young company to implement its start-up strategy. Her role involved organising its launch party and press, writing/editing its marketing and sales materials, digital marketing, and client liason.

Non-Executive & Board Advisory

From 2004 onwards, Non-Executive Director and Board Level Advisor to several pioneering start-ups working in sectors including sustainability, social enterprise, digital, communications, media, events, the arts, and gender equality and empowerment.

Activities inc. advisories on research & development; writing & revising business plans; internal & external communications, inc. branding, corporate identity, press & marketing; corporate governance, intellectual property, due diligence, & business ethics; industry collaborations, partnerships, strategic alliances & affiliations; sponsorship & funding strategy; founder/board mentoring; as well as ambassadorship, and senior press & media liaison.

Not for Profit

• Contributing Author to the 'Postcards from Tomorrow' fundraising book for Sydney-based women's charity Lou's Place, 2019 >< 2020

• Committee Member of the Take Heart India annual fundraising ball held at The Roof Gardens, London, 2005 >< 2012

• Board Advisor to the world's largest-ever private fundraising party, The Global Party, launched at the Natural History Museum, London, 2011

• Non-Executive Director at fashion movement Anti Apathy, London, 2009 >< 2010

• Steering Group Member, WWF's 'Awakenings' climate change communications think tank, London, 2007 >< 2009

• Head of PR, Sponsorship, Brand Affiliations & Fashion Show Production, ICAP/Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Annual Fundraising Dinner & Temperley London show, the Puck Building, New York, 2007

• Head of Sponsorship, PR & Artist Liaison, The Big Issue’s 15th Anniversary Concert, Shepherd's Bush Pavilion, London 2006

• Head of Sponsorship, Zandra Rhodes' My Favourite Dress Ball in aid of the Fashion & Textile Museum, The Hurlingham Club, London 2005

• Event Director, Louis Mariette's fundraising couture catwalk show in association with the Renaissance Club in aid of Elton John's Aids Foundation, The Roof Gardens, London, 2003

• Cofounder, working with music producer Steve Brown (The Cult, Wham! etc.) in an effort to launch the world’s first fairtrade dance music label, 2003 > < 2010

• Head of Sponsorship & After Show Party Production, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Rock Concert, Royal Opera House, London 2002 - the first ever rock concert to be held at the venue.

Early Career

Digital & Marketing Consultant, London | 1999 >< 2001

Advisor to first-to-market digital start-ups, including online style and arts magazines and e-tailers. She also worked as an executive headhunter on behalf of leading international digital agencies and dotcoms, specialising in senior and board level creatives for the digital and mobile sector, and undertook freelance research contracts working with the marketing and information technology departments of national and multi-national PLCs in sectors including telecommunications, finance and retail.

Fashion Designer & Fashion Buyer, London | 1996 >< 1999

On graduation launched her own womenswear label, designing bi-annual collections, pattern cutting, managing sample collection production, organising fashion shows, liaising with press and media, designing and distributing all marketing and merchandising materials, as well as designing and managing production of fashion ranges for third party suppliers.

Showed collections at Alternative Fashion Week in Spitalfields Market and at the Islington Design Centre, London. Spent 18 months working on the women’s sportswear buying team for a major high street retailer, working with brands including Calvin Klein, Farah, Kangol, Quicksilver, Levis and Wrangler.

While practising as a fashion designer and buyer, visited an extensive number of international fashion exhibitions, expos and shows including London Fashion Week and the VH-1 Fashion Awards in New York, while advancing her education as a graduate member of the Chartered Society of Designers and of the Textile Institute. Upon graduation completed a series of short and professional courses in subjects including tailoring and couture at institutions including the Liberty Sewing School.

Work Experience, UK / South Africa | 1988 >< 1996

While an undergraduate, Melissa gained work experience with brands including Gul Wetsuits, Cornwall – where she assisted on couture collection samples in sport fabrics including neoprene for Hussein Chalayan and Karl Lagerfeld. She was also one of a select number of students invited to work on a design brief for Courtaulds for Marks and Spencer, in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University textile design students.

Further work experience included spending 3 months in Cape Town, where she worked with a handful of South Africa's premier fashion designers and a leading retailer; and spending a summer working as an assistant to the directors of the laser research department at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories [RAL] in Oxfordshire. Prior to commencing her undergraduate degree Melissa held several part-time and freelance jobs working for early Internet & technology start-ups.