Melissa is the CEO and founder of Orijin Bees, a multicultural toy company that challenges identity norms and celebrates the diversity of Black and Brown children and their communities. With over 3.5 years of experience in the consumer products industry, she has grown Orijin Bees from a passion project to a successful and recognized brand, landing on Oprah’s Favorite Things List, Amazon’s 2021/2022/2023 Toy Books, and becoming a finalist for the 2022 Toy of the Year Award. She has also secured partnership deals with major outlets such as Target, QVC and Maisonette expanding the reach and impact of her products.
Melissa is also a Certified Public Accountant with nearly two decades of experience in public accounting, focusing on the financial services industry. She worked at Deloitte and KPMG, providing tax and accounting services to clients across various sectors and regions. She leverages her finance and accounting expertise to manage and optimize the operations, finances, and supply chain of Orijin Bees, ensuring its sustainability and profitability. Melissa is a purpose-driven entrepreneur who is passionate about creating positive change and representation in the children’s market and beyond. She is a conscious trailblazer, a public speaker, a board member, and a consultant, sharing her insights and vision with others.
