STRATEGIC EDGE FACILITATOR & BUSINESS ADVISOR — AWE
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION — SAIT
FOUNDER & FORMER CEO — WEAN GREEN INC.

Melissa Martin is an entrepreneurial leader who founded Wean Green in 2008 while on maternity leave from teaching first grade. What started as a simple need for a safe, eco-friendly way to store her daughters’ food quickly scaled into an international glass container brand manufactured in South Korea and sold through major retailers across North America and beyond. After more than a decade of growth, millions of products sold, and countless twists and turns of the startup journey, Melissa successfully exited the company in 2023.

Now based back in Calgary, Melissa has spent the last four years contributing to the local innovation and education ecosystem. She taught at SAIT’s School of Business, where she contributed to many entrepreneurship-focused initiatives. She has designed and facilitated growth programs for Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), mentored founders at SDSU’s Lavin Entrepreneurship Center and Venture Park, and supported community organizations including Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, Believe in the Gold, and Children’s Wish. Melissa is recognized for her collaborative leadership and her ability to build strong partnerships across industry, academia, and the nonprofit sector.

Her love for the outdoors and passion for sustainability continue to influence her work, whether she’s at her off-grid lake cabin, advocating for eco-conscious innovation, or catching waves in California. Today, Melissa is focused on educating and empowering not only the communities small and medium-sized businesses but also helping SAIT’s students move from vision to action with confidence, clarity, and measurable results.