At D&I Consulting, we value leaders who exemplify customer-centricity and a passion for solving real-world problems. This year, we celebrate Melanie Perkins, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Canva, as our Person of the Year.
Melanie’s journey is a testament to what can happen when you put the needs of your customers at the heart of your mission. Her story began with a simple, yet powerful idea: to empower people who wanted to create professional designs without the technical barriers or the cost of hiring a graphic designer. Recognising a gap in the market, she set out to democratise design by creating a platform that was accessible, affordable, and easy to use.
From those early days, Melanie and her team have transformed Canva into a global powerhouse, now serving millions of users worldwide. What started as a tool for individuals has evolved into a robust solution for teams, organisations, and enterprises. Whether it is creating presentations, marketing collateral, or brand kits, Canva equips its users with everything they need to communicate visually with impact.
Melanie’s commitment to solving real problems with simplicity and elegance has not only changed how people approach design but has also redefined customer-centric innovation. Her leadership is a shining example of what it means to think big, solve meaningfully, and execute brilliantly—values that resonate deeply with us at D&I.
We are proud to spotlight Melanie Perkins as a leader who embodies the spirit of putting customers first while continually pushing the boundaries of innovation.
