Melanie Perkins has become a defining name in innovation and disruption within the world of graphic design. As the co-founder and CEO of Canva, she has transformed the way people create visual content by making design simple, accessible, and universal. With her vision, leadership, and relentless pursuit of innovation, Perkins has democratized design and built one of the most influential creative platforms of our time.
Early Life and Education:
Born in 1987 in Perth, Western Australia, Perkins displayed an entrepreneurial spirit early on. At 14, she began selling handmade scarves at local markets, foreshadowing her future as a business leader. Her interest in design and entrepreneurship led her to study Communications, Psychology, and Commerce at the University of Western Australia. While tutoring design students, Perkins identified a key problem—traditional design software was overly complex—and began imagining simpler, web-based alternatives.
The First Venture: Fusion Books
In 2007, Perkins co-founded Fusion Books with Cliff Obrecht, her then-boyfriend and now husband. Fusion Books allowed schools to design yearbooks online using drag-and-drop tools and customizable templates. The platform quickly expanded from Australia into New Zealand and France, providing the foundation for Perkins’ next, much larger endeavor—Canva.
The Birth of Canva
By 2012, Perkins and Obrecht envisioned a broader design solution that could serve users worldwide. Alongside Cameron Adams, a former Google designer, they launched Canva in 2013. With its intuitive interface, expansive template library, and collaborative features, Canva revolutionized design by making it possible for anyone—from students to global enterprises—to create professional-quality content.
A Global Success Story
Today, Canva boasts more than 165 million users and generates over $1 billion in annual revenue. The company has scaled into a global creative powerhouse, empowering individuals and organizations to design anything, in any language, on any device. Perkins’ relentless focus on innovation, accessibility, and customer satisfaction has been central to this meteoric rise.
Leadership and Vision
Perkins is widely recognized for her inclusive and visionary leadership style. She has built a strong, purpose-driven team united by a mission to empower the world to design. Her leadership is marked by both empathy and decisiveness, fostering a culture of innovation while driving Canva’s exponential growth.
Importantly, Perkins’ ambitions go beyond business success. She believes in design as a force for positive change—empowering people to share ideas, tell stories, and make an impact on society.
CSR:
True to their values, Perkins and Obrecht joined the Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of their wealth to philanthropic causes. In 2024, Canva pledged $30 million to GiveDirectly, supporting families living in extreme poverty through direct cash transfers. This commitment highlights Perkins’ dedication to using success as a vehicle for social good.
Recognition and Influence:
Perkins’ influence has been acknowledged globally. In 2023, she ranked 89th on Forbes’ list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women and 92nd on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list. Together with Obrecht, her net worth is estimated at $14.14 billion—yet she remains committed to accessibility, innovation, and impact over prestige.
Melanie Perkins’ journey from a young entrepreneur in Perth to the visionary leader of Canva is a story of creativity, resilience, and purpose. She has not only redefined the future of design but also demonstrated how innovation, when guided by empathy and social responsibility, can leave a lasting mark on the world.
As Canva continues to expand, Perkins remains focused on her bold vision: empowering everyone to design anything, anywhere. Whether through technological innovation or philanthropy, her legacy is already shaping the future of design, business, and social impact worldwide.
