About Us

President and Founder

“It is a pleasure to work with a company that understands our business and the nature of the relationships we have with our clients.”
JH, VP,
AGF Funds Inc.

President and Founder

Melissa Donovan is president and founder of DONOVAN by design inc., a full-service boutique meeting and event-planning group based in Toronto. She is a consummate professional dedicated to supporting the growth of the Canadian corporate environment.

Melissa brings more than 20 years of hands-on experience in the travel and hospitality industry, including in-depth experience in the retail travel sector, in leisure and corporate consulting as well as incentive travel and corporate meeting planning.

She has planned incentive programs covering every aspect from concept development to execution, including group accompaniment with on-site coordination and supervision. She has also managed a wide range of meetings for large and small companies alike, including coordinating site selection, land arrangements, air transportation, special events and theming, as well as audiovisual, entertainment and promotional planning.

A graduate of the Hospitality program at South Eastern Academy in Kissimee, Florida, Melissa worked with Uniglobe Travel and with the Thomas Cook Travel Group before striking out on her own to achieve her ideal of customer service.

She is dedicated to excellence and customer satisfaction and has built a team that brings a genuine concern and caring for clients. No detail, however small, is overlooked.

Melissa is an active member and former board member of the Society for Incentive Travel Executives (SITE). She is also active in the Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the Direct Sellers Association (DSA/AVD Canada), and the Chamber of Commerce in Richmond Hill.