Your Talent Incubator
Partners
Our Purpose & Our People
Talent Incubator Partners (Talent IP) was created to support startups navigating the complexities of recruitment during rapid growth phases. With over two decades of experience in talent acquisition, we leverage a story-led approach to recruitment, one that builds your team alongside your brand. We deliver expert fractional talent acquisition and strategic advisory services grounded in embedded partnership.
Fractional vs. Consulting
Consultants often work from the outside looking in—they assess the situation and recommend a path forward. Fractional leaders work from the inside. They embed with the team in a part-time leadership role, take ownership of strategy, and help execute the plan alongside the people responsible for delivering it.
The key difference is involvement. Fractional leaders integrate into the leadership team, attending meetings, managing people, and helping guide the business over time. Consultants typically focus on defined projects with specific deliverables and timelines.
The structure is different too. Consulting is often project-based or hourly, while fractional roles are usually
monthly retainers for a set portion of a leader’s time.
In short, choose fractional leadership when you need embedded, part-time executive leadership that drives long-term outcomes,
not just recommendations.
20
Years of Experience in
Talent Acquisition
10
Years Supporting
Growing Startups
40+
Personal and Professional Lessons Learned
About Melissa
Our founder is a seasoned recruitment specialist and advisor who understands the unique challenges of startup growth — firsthand. With over 20 years of experience, we are committed to providing flexible, personalized support that drives success at every stage of your journey. After all, our team is the one that will help you build yours.
It's easy to sell a story you believe in.
I’ve spent most of my career helping companies figure out one of the hardest parts of growing a business: how to find and hire the right people.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked across talent acquisition, people operations, and recruitment strategy—partnering closely with founders and leadership teams to build teams, improve hiring processes, and create unforgettable experiences for candidates. My work has ranged from leading full-cycle recruitment for specialized roles to implementing recruitment technology systems and helping organizations attract talent by translating roles and company vision into authentic, engaging stories that resonate with candidates.
I have always felt strongly that hiring well isn’t just about filling roles. It’s about true alignment—understanding what a company truly needs, translating that into a compelling opportunity, and building a hiring process that reflects the kind of organization you want to become.
I've had the luxury of working in many different industries and environments. Staffing, Executive Search, RPO Outsourcing, In-House and Fractional models have all opened my eyes to a different perspective. The past decade has given me the opportunity to specialize in the startup ecosystem which has further enhanced my passion for emerging technologies.
That philosophy is what led me to start Talent Incubator Partners. Through my advisory work, I support startups and growing companies with talent strategy, recruitment execution, employer branding and the systems that make hiring sustainable as organizations scale. I’m particularly passionate about working with early-stage companies where the right hires can fundamentally shape the future of the business.
Outside of my professional work, I’ve always believed in giving back to the community. I spent 17 years volunteering with the UNICEF Water for Life Gala Committee, helping support one of North America’s most impactful charitable fundraising events. I’ve also worked with Immigrant Services Calgary to deliver resume writing and interviewing workshops alongside computer literacy training for immigrant seniors so they can build confidence with technology and stay connected in their communities. I'm a passionate dog lover, avid sports fan and feel blessed to have traveled to over 9 different countries.
Born, raised, and educated in Calgary, I obtained a Bachelor of Kinesiology with a Minor in Management & Society and have since completed an Executive Leadership Certificate from eCornell University as well as a Mini MBA in Engineering & Technology Management from Rutgers Business School. At the end of the day, the work I do—whether with companies or in the community—is about the same thing: helping people and organizations build something meaningful.