Melissa Medina

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT MELISSA MEDINA

Melissa Medina is Co-Founder and CEO of eMerge Americas, the platform leading the transformation of South Florida into a globally recognized technology and innovation hub. Medina has more than 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, operator, investor, as well as a community leader and philanthropist.Founded in 2014, eMerge Americas’ flagship global technology conference, held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center, attracts over entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, government leaders, academics, and corporate executives from more than 60 countries. Today, the conference is widely recognized as one of the most influential technology events in the Western Hemisphere.Under Medina’s leadership, eMerge has evolved from an annual event into a year-round innovation platform, delivering executive summits, innovation challenges, startup pitch competitions, accelerator programs, and industry-leading venture and investment insight reports. Collectively, eMerge Americas’ programs have supported more than 1,100 startups that have collectively raised over $3 billion, contributed to the creation of over high-wage jobs, and generated over $2.6 billion in economic impact for the state of Florida. In addition to her role at eMerge Americas, Medina is a Partner at Medina Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on frontier technologies, particularly AI and quantum computing, critical to U.S. competitiveness and national security.Medina is a member of the Florida Council 100, an exclusive organization of the state’s most accomplished CEOs, and has been repeatedly recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as a Power Leader in Technology and Ultimate CEO. Her honors include the Woman of Distinction Award from FIU, designation as a Top 100 Latina Powerhouse by HOLA, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce “Difference Maker” HYPE Award, and the State of Florida’s Pace-Setting Woman in Miami recognition. She has also been named one of the most influential women in philanthropy by Ocean Drive Magazine. Medina also serves on the Board of Trustees of The Miami Foundation. A Miami native, Medina is deeply committed to building a thriving innovation ecosystem and positioning Florida as a global technology leader. Above all, she is a devoted mother of five, which she considers her most important role.Medina graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida, earning a BSBA and a Master’s in International Business. As part of her graduate studies, she attended ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.