Melissa Nong

As Co-Founder of Panbo AI, Melissa pioneered a community loyalty platform across Philadelphia, assisting over 70 small businesses from emerging community markets to established commercial corridors. Her startup worked with businesses 1:1 in digital transformation, branding, marketing, and data analytics, combining cutting-edge technology with the understanding that effective solutions must speak the language of shop owners.

Her perspective is shaped by an international education in Vietnam, South Africa, and Argentina, and research on climate change and sustainable food systems in the Galápagos; these experiences prepared her for her role as intern Director of Community Relations at The Community Grocer, where she forged over 30 partnerships with community organizations. 

Melissa graduated in the Class of 2024 summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Global Health and minors in Political Science and Anthropology. Her work has been recognized as Temple University's "Better Philadelphia" 1st Place Winner and as a finalist for Penn's President's Innovation Prize.