Melanie was born and raised in the Niagara Region, having grown up in Welland, Ontario.

Melanie received her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Biology from the University of Guelph in 2015. During her undergrad, she was a volunteer with the Centre for Students with Disabilities and a member of the Crown Ward Educational Team. Additionally, Melanie undertook a research project on the thermal tolerance of an invasive insect species and went on to co-author a published research paper on the findings.

She attended law school at Western University and obtained her Juris Doctor in 2018. While at law school, Melanie volunteered with various organizations, including Pro Bono Students Canada, Western Law’s Community Outreach Executive Committee, and the Faculty of Law’s Student Ambassador Program. She was also a Student Representative on Western Law’s Admissions Committee.

Melanie articled with Chown Cairns LLP and joined the firm as an associate lawyer in 2019, following her call to the Bar. She looks forward to establishing her legal career in the Niagara Region.