Mel brings over 15 years of experience organizing community events, multi-day festivals, and recreation programming. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with non-profit organizations, artists, makers, and community groups to create vibrant, fun, and welcoming environments where people can connect while celebrating wellbeing, creativity, and local culture.

A major personal accomplishment was her five-year, 20,000 km journey walking the Trans Canada Trail to all three coasts of Canada, becoming the first woman to complete it. She calls it a “solowalk powered by human kindness,” highlighting the generosity and support of the many people she met along the way, which transformed this physical challenge into a deeply meaningful human experience.

After exploring the country on foot, Mel chose to settle in the North and now calls the Yukon home. She brings her passion for supporting local to the Fireweed Community Market, helping to continue the market’s tradition of creating a space that goes beyond shopping and serves as a lively gathering place celebrating local talent, healthy food, and the people who make this community thrive.