Endeavor

I M P A C T R E P O R T 2 0 1 7 / 2 0 1 8 A native to Miami, FL, Melissa Medina is currently President of eMerge Americas. In May 2014, Melissa helped launch the inaugural eMerge Americas, an annual, large-scale global technology conference which provides a platform for the advancement of technology, the sharing of ideas, and the launch pad for innovation while connecting Latin America with North America and Europe. eMerge America's mission is to serve as a catalyst for establishing Miami as the tech hub of the Americas in order to propel innovation and investment in South Florida & Latin America. With Melissa's leadership, eMerge Americas now serves as the catalyst in a movement to connect the Americas through innovation & technology. Subsequent to the 2014 inaugural conference, Melissa assisted in the launch of the Women, Innovation & Technology summit (WIT), which seeks to convene top female professionals from across the globe to showcase how they are transforming industries through technology & innovation. P R E S I D E N T e M E R G E A M E R I C A S A N D M E D I N A F A M I L Y F O U N D A T I O N Melissa is also the President of the Medina Family Foundation (MFF). As President of the foundation, Melissa defined the foundation's mission as funding local initiatives that focus on mentoring children and empowering families by enhancing education and quality of life. The MFF actively supports various organizations including: Roots of Hope, SEED School of Miami, FIU Aquarius, Miami Children's Hospital, Women of Tomorrow, Informed Families, Voices For Children, Camillus House, Shake-A-Leg, AMIGOS for Kids, The United Way, among many others. The funding provided to these organizations, along with Melissa's personal involvement in each of the organizations, has allowed these non-profits to continue their missions and ultimately, create a brighter future for the City of Miami. Melissa attended the University of FL and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & a Master's in International Business. Additionally, as part of her Master's program, Melissa attended ESADE in Barcelona, Spain - one of the top global universities in business management. What is the best advice you would give to a company looking to scale? Preparing for future growth by creating a detailed plan through reverse engineering is a must in order for a company to be ready to scale. What is the relationship between company culture and business success? You cannot have a successful business without a positive company culture. They are not mutually exclusive, but rather mutually dependent. Why did you decide to become a mentor with Endeavor Miami? Entrepreneurs are the heart and soul of a thriving ecosystem and I want to do everything I can to help them succeed. What have you enjoyed the most throughout your time as a mentor? Meeting and connecting with incredibly passionate and innovative entrepreneurs who are building ideas into successful businesses. MELISSA MEDINA endeavormiami.org

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