For Melanie Audrain, that click led to NYWICI, a new community, meaningful connections, and the opportunity to become the organization’s 2026 Brand Licensing Scholarship recipient.

As a New York native with French-American roots, Melanie is currently pursuing her MS in Strategic Communication at Columbia University, building on a career that has already taken her across industries. Her experience spans from toy product marketing at Mattel to communication roles across education, banking, and pharmaceuticals with Kennedy International School, Société Générale, Merck, and Pfizer.

She earned her Bachelor of Commerce with distinction from McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management in 2021, laying the foundation for a next in line field that she soon would come to love. As she continues to find her place, Melanie is exploring not only where the industry can take her, but how she can help shape it.

When asked for her final remarks on what this opportunity has brought, Melanie could only give praise to the community that is NYWICI. This is more than an investment in the next generation, it’s a chance to meet women who are navigating their own paths alongside her. Carrying this spirit, Melanie hopes to create more opportunities for young women to find community, build confidence, and see a future for themselves in communication. If she could give one piece of advice: “Go for it.”