Melissa Gonzalez is a pioneering force in the world of experiential design, widely respected for her ability to help brands forge meaningful connections with customers in both physical and digital spaces. A Principal at MG2, a global architecture and design firm, and Shareholder at Colliers Engineering and Design, Melissa leads the charge in developing cutting-edge retail strategies that blend brand storytelling with immersive customer experiences.

Her journey began on Wall Street, where she sharpened her analytical and business acumen working in institutional equity sales. Fascinated by the evolving relationship between brands and consumers, she left finance to pursue her passion for creating dynamic retail experiences. In 2009, she founded The Lionesque Group, a firm specializing in conceptualizing and executing pop-up retail environments. Under her guidance, The Lionesque Group quickly became a go-to partner for global brands seeking to craft interactive, short-term retail activations that captured consumer attention and fueled brand loyalty.

Over the next decade, Melissa and The Lionesque Group successfully launched more than 150 consumer facing experiences for clients ranging from emerging startups to Fortune 500 companies. Renowned as a trailblazer in the “pop-up revolution,” Melissa authored the book The Pop-Up Paradigm: How Brands Build Human Connections in a Digital Age, solidifying her status as a trusted advisor to retailers navigating an omnichannel marketplace. She frequently shares her insights on trend forecasting, customer experience, and retail innovation, serving as a go-to resource for media outlets and an engaging keynote speaker at industry conferences.

In 2020, The Lionesque Group was acquired by MG2, where Melissa continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in retail design and strategy. Her passion for collaboration and her knack for fusing brand storytelling with the latest technologies have made her an influential thought leader in an ever-changing landscape. This was also the year she launched Retail Refined, a podcast that challenges the norm and investigates what will define the next decade of retail, disruption that lies ahead and the key factors influencing change.

Beyond her professional achievements, Melissa is celebrated for her genuine curiosity and commitment to helping others succeed. She mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, champions women in leadership, and consistently emphasizes the power of building communities. Through her work at MG2 and her thought leadership in the retail world, Melissa Gonzalez remains an unwavering advocate for innovation, creativity, and human connection.

Leaning into Vulnerability, Intuition and Purpose, she is now bringing her unwavering advocacy to women in a deeper way with the upcoming launch of her newest book, The Purpose Pivot: How Leaders Put Vulnerability and Intuition into Action.