MELISSA CHEN

CO-FOUNDER &
DESIGN DIRECTOR

BUSINESS DEVELOPER & FF&E SPECIALIST 
BACHELOR OF INTERIOR DESIGN AT RMIT UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF CHINESE & FINE ART @ MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

  • Melissa Chen is a powerhouse in hospitality design with 25 years of global experience spanning London, Singapore, New York, and Melbourne. She’s led Australia’s largest hotel refurbishment, collaborated with world-class architects, and built a network of top-tier owners and operators. Today, she’s shaping the future of hospitality through visionary projects that fuse design excellence with operational insight.

  • Melissa doesn’t just design spaces—she creates experiences. Her leadership blends storytelling, functionality, and emotion to craft interiors that connect people and elevate brands. With a commitment to supporting Australian manufacturing and design, Melissa leverages a global network of artisans and suppliers to deliver projects that are as authentic as they are innovative.

  • Hospitality is in Melissa’s DNA. Raised in a family of exceptional cooks and hosts, she learned early that generosity, care, and quality are the heart of great experiences. Her passion extends beyond design into philanthropy through Mill’s Kitchen, a charity supporting the Royal Melbourne Hospital. From pro bono renovations to community-driven initiatives, Melissa proves that design can change lives.

A woman sitting on a white sofa with striped pillows, smiling, with a potted plant on the left and a flower arrangement on the right.

“NUMI Collective is a sum of all our parts bringing together the best of our cultural backgrounds, experience and skill.”

- Melissa Chen

  • Two women in a modern office having a conversation; one is seated at a desk with a computer, and the other is standing holding a book, both smiling.
  • People socializing at a gathering, including a woman smiling holding a drink, and a man with glasses talking to another person, with others in the background.
  • Woman serving cheese in a modern kitchen with a metallic tile backsplash.
  • Two women sitting at a desk in an office, reviewing papers and smiling, with a laptop, file folders, and office supplies on the desk.
  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling, sitting on a fireplace hearth, wearing a long dress and high heels, in a black and white photo.