Meet the Team

After a decade as colleagues WORKBENCH’s founders launched the collaborative consultancy. With 30+ years of experience and our refined network of skilled practitioners, we’re here to support your firm.

Melissa Van Loon is a Operations, and Strategic Planning specialist who has spent over 25 years improving businesses profitability. She brings creative thinking to the practical methods of running a profitable business.

  • Co-Founder, Marketing & Operations Specialist

    Starting her career in travel by opening the first stores for Flight Centre when they first arrived in Canada in the 1990’s, Melissa spent close to a decade growing their global presence. Learning business operations, marketing and new business development she left Flight Centre after opening their 50th shop ready for a new adventure.

    Loving design, Melissa found herself working with some of the top Interior Design firms in the country. Melissa is not a designer but rather a marketing and operations expert bringing a different approach to creative businesses.

  • 2018 - 2021

    Powell & Bonnell - Director of Marketing & Business Development

    2008 - 2017

    IIBYIV Design - VP Marketing & Operations

Jake Oliveira is an award winning Industrial Designer who has specialized expertise in manufacturing, marketing, and selling product in the design industry. His knowledge of engineering & fabrication helps brings designers visions to life.

  • Co-Founder, Industrial Design Specialist

    An alumni of York University’s coveted YSDN Bachelor of Design (Hons), Jake specialized in industrial design. His tenure has seen him cut his teeth at three prominent Toronto studios, Umbra, IIBYIV, and Powell & Bonnell. With a keen eye for art direction and specialized technical skills, Jake is the point person assisting you on your creative projects.

    Jake’s collaborations with international brands and signature designs adorn top tier showrooms nationally, including Dennis Miller (New York) and R Hughes (Atlanta). His works have received multiple highly lauded awards and honours.

  • 2019 - 2021

    Powell & Bonnell - Industrial Design Lead

    2014 - 2019

    IIBYIV Design - Industrial Designer

    2014

    Umbra - Graphic Designer (Packaging, Print, Digital)

TESTIMONIALS

“Melissa and Jake are pros at navigating the design media landscape. They understand how to generate buzz and engagement through smartly-crafted marketing materials and compelling case studies that feel fresh and on-trend. Their efficient, deadline-oriented style makes them well-suited to working with the press.”

Mark Challen, Former VP Communications of House & Home Magazine, Design Expert

“The operations aspect of the design business can be somewhat tedious and time consuming. It has been great to have WORKBENCH as part of our team to help us navigate through business strategy and RFP’s, allowing our team more time to concentrate on our clients and what we enjoy and do best; design.”

Natasha Popek-Konieczko, Co-Founder of Common Good Studio, Interior Designer