Mel started her career as a first grade teacher and journalist. A chance meeting at the Boston Marathon led to an interview for an entry level job at Nike. She spent 17 years there, where she led businesses including Nike Women and Skateboarding, and worked on the launch of the Nike Running and Training Club apps. In 2019 she left to co-found venture capital firm Next Ventures, focused on early stage investments across whole person health in companies like Oura ring and Outside Inc. She serves on the boards of Cofertility, Ramble Campgrounds, Sage Hospitality (we manage five Portland-based hotels including The Nines), Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and University of Oregon’s Knight Campus. When she’s not traveling you can find her mountain biking on the trails in Hood River Oregon.