Melanie Bell Mayeda
About Melanie Bell Mayeda
Melanie Bell Mayeda is an Associate Partner at IDEO and currently serves as the Head of Strategy and Operations at Google, where she focuses on consumer user experience and innovation. With a background in sociology from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, she has extensive experience in organizational innovation and social impact initiatives.
Current Role at Google
Melanie Bell Mayeda serves as the Head of Strategy and Operations for Insights + Innovation within Consumer UX at Google. She has held this position since 2021 and is based in the Bay Area, California. In 2023, she transitioned to the role of Director of UX, Program and Operations for Search UX, continuing her focus on user experience and operational strategy.
Experience at IDEO
Melanie has a significant tenure at IDEO, where she has worked in various capacities since 2012. She is currently an Associate Partner, a position she has held for 12 years. Prior to this, she served as a Partner from 2017 to 2021. During her time at IDEO, she has led a 45-person studio focused on organizational innovation, defining studio strategy, and managing profit and loss.
Previous Experience at LeapFrog
Before her roles at IDEO and Google, Melanie was the Director of Licensing at LeapFrog from 2002 to 2007. In this position, she contributed to the company's licensing strategies and partnerships for five years, enhancing the brand's market presence.
Educational Background
Melanie studied at Harvard University, where she earned her A.B. in Sociology, graduating magna cum laude. She furthered her education at Harvard Business School, obtaining her MBA from 1997 to 1998. Her academic background supports her expertise in strategy and operations.
Board Memberships and Social Impact Work
Melanie is a member of the Board of Regents at Samuel Merritt University and serves as a Board Member of The Steve Fund. She is passionate about leveraging design to create positive social impact, focusing on helping businesses develop products and services that benefit underserved populations.