Melinda leads the property development team for Nando’s North America and is responsible for building their growth strategy, site selection, design, construction, and facilities. Joining the company in 2015 as the design director, she has opened over 40 new locations and, under her current role, a handful of new markets for the South African based brand. Her passion is bringing people together and restaurant spaces to life—from getting to know new markets to curating the very best design teams. Her collaborative approach showcases the creativity of Southern African makers and artists in each uniquely designed location.

Prior to joining Nando’s, Melinda was director of design for a boutique hospitality-focused architecture and design studio, HapstakDemetriou based in Washington, DC. She has 20 years of design experience working with international hotel and restaurant brands, homeowners, and developers and loves the challenge of creative problem-solving.