Melanie Kahl is the founder of Meld Studio, a design, strategy, and experience practice that works with purpose-driven organizations to craft new programs, services, and visions for the future.

An innovation leader, strategist, storyteller, and experience designer, Melanie walks us through her career journey, starting with early dreams of working with primates (and a cold email to the Jane Goodall Institute!), turning down Yale, and finding herself building her own design studio after a pandemic sabbatical.

I wanted to interview her because of the impressive range of companies that she has worked for and with — from building public schools to leading innovation programs within Meta, from coveted design agencies like Dalberg to sustainable brands like Patagonia.  I was curious how she made decisions about who to work with and when. (She’ll share her ‘plate’ metaphor and how it helps her know how to balance and select her client load.)

For anyone who has struggled with being “too well-rounded” and wanted to integrate all their interests under one career home, Melanie’s story will remind you that it’s possible.

 You can find Mel at:

• https://www.melaniekahl.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniekahl/