Melissa oversees HOK’s Sports, Recreation + Entertainment practice in Chicago. She has more than 25 years of experience managing diverse teams and designing complex projects of all sizes, including entertainment venues, football and basketball practice facilities, and stadiums for collegiate and professional clients.

Melissa is passionate about driving innovative design in women’s sports. She co-leads HOK’s women’s sports initiative, which combines current work, client and athlete feedback, fan demographic data, and emerging trends to make sports venues more inclusive for female athletes and fans. Her research has been covered by the Sports Business Journal and Bisnow.

Beyond sports, Melissa’s portfolio includes mixed-use, residential, cultural and civic projects.