Life at SAIT
Melissa joined SAIT in 2022 and currently teaches various BA diploma courses including Capstone, Introduction to Business and Organizational Behaviour. She loves watching her students showcase their learning through partnerships with industry leaders. Melissa’s goal is to validate the experience of being a woman in business through learning and teaching. Her passions, which include entrepreneurship, education, business advising, and lifelong learning, have been instrumental in her career journey.
Every semester, Melissa takes on the role of a cheerleader for her students, supporting their learning and helping them achieve their program goals. Here on campus, Melissa has been involved with Enactus, an organization dedicated to empowering students, academics, and business leaders to address social, economic, and environmental issues.
Education
Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alberta and is currently pursuing an MBA (Entrepreneurship specialization) from Dalhousie University.
Professional accomplishments
Melissa is a seasoned industry leader with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer goods, business mentorship and entrepreneurship spaces. Her roles include CEO of Sunrise Consulting Co. and Wean Green, where her leadership drove sustainable product growth. She has mentored students in US universities and supported new businesses through her long-standing role with Calgary’s Venture Park Accelerator and Alberta Women Entrepreneurs. Melissa was recognized as one of the top 40 under 40 in 2011 and has been featured in various press releases for the many entrepreneurial efforts she has led over the years. Her expertise spans finance, new business development, strategy, marketing, and consulting, making her a valued guide for emerging entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals alike.
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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.