Full Name
Melanie Brister
Job Title
Cultural Communications Stagiest
Speaker Bio
Melanie Brister is a cultural strategist with deep expertise in global communications, social media strategy, audience development, and brand awareness across the arts, culture, fashion, and entertainment industries. She is passionate about creating transformative strategies that connect diverse audiences and foster meaningful cultural engagement through storytelling.
Melanie has led initiatives that have elevated brands and institutions on an international scale, shaping narratives that resonate globally while building authentic connections. Her career includes collaborations with Sotheby’s, The Studio Museum in Harlem, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Frieze, and the Essence Festival of Culture, as well as luxury fashion houses such as Prada, Oscar de la Renta, and Diane von Furstenberg. She has also developed strategies for acclaimed Broadway productions and partnered with celebrated artists, musicians, designers, and chefs.
A natural connector, Melanie has cultivated trusted relationships with tastemakers, cultural leaders, and innovators to expand reach and influence, driving conversations that bridge communities and industries. By merging creative vision with strategy, she empowers cultural institutions, fashion brands, and entertainment entities to grow their presence, engage diverse audiences, and amplify their stories on a global stage.
Melanie has led initiatives that have elevated brands and institutions on an international scale, shaping narratives that resonate globally while building authentic connections. Her career includes collaborations with Sotheby’s, The Studio Museum in Harlem, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Frieze, and the Essence Festival of Culture, as well as luxury fashion houses such as Prada, Oscar de la Renta, and Diane von Furstenberg. She has also developed strategies for acclaimed Broadway productions and partnered with celebrated artists, musicians, designers, and chefs.
A natural connector, Melanie has cultivated trusted relationships with tastemakers, cultural leaders, and innovators to expand reach and influence, driving conversations that bridge communities and industries. By merging creative vision with strategy, she empowers cultural institutions, fashion brands, and entertainment entities to grow their presence, engage diverse audiences, and amplify their stories on a global stage.
