Melissa Medina

With over two decades of experience as an entrepreneur, operator, investor, community leader, and philanthropist, Melissa Medina is a driving force in the tech industry and beyond. Hailing from Miami, Florida, she serves as the CEO, President, and Co-Founder of eMerge Americas, a venture-backed platform that has spearheaded Miami's evolution into a global technology hub. Under her guidance, eMerge Americas has flourished, hosting a premier global tech conference and startup accelerator annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Today, the event draws over 25,000 attendees from 50+ countries and 5,000 companies.

In addition to the flagship conference, eMerge Global Accelerator, led by Medina, has nurtured over 1,000 early-stage companies, raising over $2 billion in funding. Her commitment to fostering innovation extends beyond the conference, with eMerge organizing executive summits, innovation challenges, startup pitch competitions, and a world-class global accelerator program. She also founded the Women, Innovation & Technology summit, highlighting female leaders transforming industries through technology and innovation.

Beyond eMerge Americas, Medina is a Partner at Medina Ventures, an early-stage venture fund, and the President of the Medina Family Foundation, supporting local initiatives focused on mentoring children and empowering families. Prior to eMerge, she honed her skills as a Financial Manager at Terremark Worldwide, where she navigated the intricate landscape of integrated network access points, crucial to the internet's connectivity worldwide.

Medina's contributions have earned her recognition from various quarters. She has been named one of the "2023 Power Leaders in Technology" by the South Florida Business Journal and received the annual "Woman of Distinction" award from Florida International University's Lilly Kopenhaver Center. Her commitment to Miami has been celebrated with accolades such as the "Difference Maker" HYPE Award from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the "Pace-Setting Woman in Miami" title from the State of Florida.

Medina, a first-generation American, attended the University of Florida and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master’s in International Business. She sits on the Board of The Miami Foundation.