Technology
Melanie Perkins
Co-founder and CEO of Canva.
Early business
While studying in Perth, Perkins taught students how to use design software. She and Cliff Obrecht started Fusion Books, a web-based tool for making school yearbooks, after seeing how difficult the software could be for beginners.
Canva launch
Perkins later co-founded Canva with Obrecht and Cameron Adams. Canva announced its launch and seed funding in 2013. The company developed an online design platform intended for people working on documents, presentations and other visual materials.
Executive role
She serves as Canva’s co-founder and chief executive. Canva’s own interviews describe the relationship between the earlier yearbook product and the later design platform.