As Founder-Investor and Chief Product Officer of Mela, Neel is a fashion designer, material science enthusiast, and lifelong creative. She holds a BFA in Fashion Design and Business Entrepreneurship from Moore College of Art & Design, and has also completed the Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School. Mela is a portfolio brand of Nile Hudson, the global sourcing and manufacturing company Neel also founded in 2014.

Both of Neel’s parents are fine artists — her late father was a renowned oil painter and UPenn MFA graduate, and her mother is a prolific mural painter whose work has been exhibited in Cairo's museum of modern Art.

Neel grew up immersed in the art world at her parents’ studio in 1990s Cairo, helping set up exhibitions from a young age. That early immersion in color, texture, and craftsmanship still shapes how she designs today.

Beyond her work, Neel is deeply committed to causes close to her heart. She has been involved with orphanages for over nine years, is an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and against the oppression of girls in developing countries, and supports ocean conservation initiatives.

Neel still creates Art today through various mediums and finds endless inspiration in the bright colors of the natural world, fascinated by how animals and living organisms use color to survive. Before founding Mela, she spent a year in Florence, exploring the world of bio-based materials and Italian craftsmanship — an experience that shaped her belief that beautiful design and sustainable materials don’t have to be at odds.

That same instinct for meaning shows up in how Mela is built. Neel has collected vintage bags from around the world for years, drawn to the way a well-made bag carries a story with it. Every Mela bag is named after someone close to her — family and friends who have shaped her journey — turning each piece into a quiet tribute to the people who helped her get here.

When she’s not working, Neel enjoys swimming, spending time with her dog Leo, visiting museums, and hosting dinner parties with her signature home-cooked meals. She has lived in New York City for 19 years, choosing to live along Museum Mile to stay close to the art world she grew up in.

Teresa has served as the Executive Director at Mela since 2023. She holds a degree in Fashion Merchandise Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology and brings over 15 years of experience in fashion and wholesale. Her background includes roles in sales and store management, at companies such as The Children’s Place and Oscar de la Renta. In addition to her role at Mela, Teresa also serves as Executive Director at Nile Hudson, with an impressive portfolio that includes collaborations with industry giants such as Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, TJX, Ross, Burlington, Macy’s, Belk, and Kohl’s. Outside of work, she’s a wine enthusiast, proud mom of three boys, and dog mom to Pluto.

Lucy is the Brand Community Manager at Mela and a recent graduate of The New School, where she studied dance and minored in food studies with a focus on food health, science, and the environment. She is deeply inspired by Mela’s mission to transform food waste into sustainable fashion and also brings a strong interest in nonprofit work and food equity. In addition to her work at Mela, Lucy is a Business Development Manager for Private Label at Nile Hudson. Originally from New Hampshire, Lucy enjoys spending time outdoors, biking in the park, exploring new restaurants, and searching for vintage finds.

The most vital member of the Mela crew is Leo- a seasoned world traveler, proclaimed apple connoisseur, and expert napper! He’s a 4-year-old lab mix with a lifetime of experience protecting and entertaining the Mela team.