Thank You, Melanie Perkins: The Part-Filipino Visionary Who Made Design Simple for All

John Lorden -

“Making beautiful design simple for everyone.”
This was the vision that fueled Melanie Perkins, a young woman from Perth with big dreams—and Filipino roots. Today, that vision is called Canva, one of the most widely used design platforms in the world.

From Filipino-Australian Roots to Global Reach

Melanie Perkins is a proud part-Filipino, born in Perth, Western Australia, to an Australian mother and an Filipino - Sri-Lankan Malaysian father. Growing up, she didn’t come from a tech hub or a family of entrepreneurs—but she was filled with curiosity, creativity, and determination.

At just 19 years old, while studying at the University of Western Australia, Melanie noticed something: students struggled to learn complex design tools like Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. That struggle sparked an idea—why can’t design be simple and accessible to everyone?

The Birth of Canva: Simplicity as a Superpower

Melanie’s first venture was called Fusion Books, an online tool that allowed schools to create yearbooks easily. It gained early traction across Australia, New Zealand, and France. But her vision stretched far beyond classrooms.

Together with co-founder (and now husband) Cliff Obrecht, Melanie pitched her idea for a broader, all-in-one design platform. After facing over 100 investor rejections, they finally secured backing, and in 2013, Canva was born.

Canva’s mission was clear and bold:
"Making Beautiful Design Simple For All."

Canva Then vs. Now

What began as a niche product for schools is now a design juggernaut used in over 190 countries by more than 100 million monthly users. Canva’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows anyone—from students to CEOs—to create:

  • Social media graphics
  • Presentations
  • Posters, flyers, and resumes
  • Marketing materials
  • Videos and websites
    ...all without needing formal design training.

As of 2025, Canva is valued at over $40 billion, and Melanie Perkins has become one of the youngest female tech CEOs to lead a company at that scale.

A Leader With Purpose

What makes Melanie’s story even more inspiring is her commitment to purpose beyond profit. Along with Cliff Obrecht, Melanie has joined the Giving Pledge, promising to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.

Inside Canva, the company culture reflects her values—collaboration, creativity, and community. Canva has also launched initiatives like Canva for Education, Canva for Nonprofits, and sustainability programs that align business with social impact.

Thank You, Melanie

Melanie Perkins didn’t just build a billion-dollar company.
She built a platform that empowers people to communicate, express, and create.

She represents what’s possible when bold ideas meet persistence—and when diverse roots grow into global change.

As a part-Filipino woman leading one of the most successful startups of the 21st century, Melanie is not only a CEO—she’s a role model for millions of aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Final Thoughts

We often talk about unicorn startups and billion-dollar valuations—but what truly stands out is the impact Melanie Perkins has made on everyday people. She made design democratic, intuitive, and fun.

So today, we say:

Thank you, Melanie.

For proving that big ideas can come from anywhere.
For breaking barriers in tech.
And for giving the world the tools to create beautifully.