melanie perkins

the innovator
Co-founder & CEO, Canva

ORIGIN STORY

Industrious from a young age, she began her first business venture at fourteen in Perth, selling handmade scarves at local markets and stores. This was just the beginning of what has become a life full of innovation, fuelled by creativity.

While enrolled at the University of Western Australia, Melanie worked as a graphic design tutor. She quickly realised the difficulties her fellow students faced in learning pre-existing design software, and thus the idea for Canva began to take shape.

WHY SHE’S A GODMOTHER

When Canva was launched in 2013, she became one of the youngest female tech founders.

However, Melanie was committed not only to being successful, but to leveraging that success to aid those in need.

In 2021, she signed The Giving Pledge alongside her co-founder and husband, Cliff Obrecht—a pledge to donate 80% of their fortune over the course of their lives.

Role:

Co-founder & CEO, Canva

Focus:

Ensuring anyone and everyone can create and design, regardless of their skill level or budget.

Impact:

A platform that is used by over 265 million users worldwide each month.

A pledge to donate the majority of her wealth throughout her life.