The MDMD team is connected
by a love of problem-solving, an interest in human-centred design and (most days) by the internet.
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Dr Mei Ling Doery
MBBS, BMedSci, MPH
Managing director
Mei Ling started her career as a University of Melbourne–trained medical doctor. Pursuing her interests in technology and public health, she went on to establish a strategic advisory practice in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation. Mei brings both perspectives to MDMD, helping to design businesses that support human wellbeing at every scale.
A seasoned international coalition builder, Mei has over two decades advising boards, executives, investors, founders, and entrepreneurs on strategies to drive commercial success. She has worked with 90+ organisations around the globe in sectors including technology, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, and infrastructure. MDMD has Consulted to 40 tech companies including AI, FinTech, and MedTech innovators.Mei has more than 20 years’ experience working with startup ventures including Doctors.net.uk, 8i.com, LifeReady and the Live China / Live Council initiative. In 2014, Mei was appointed as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in recognition of her contribution to global public health, and as doctor-in-residence for digital agency Portable Studios (named in BRW’s ‘Fast 100’ for 2013). In 2016, Mei co-founded SugarByHalf, and became an innovation adviser to Nightingale Housing and a board member for the Chisholm Institute and Chisholm Online.
Mei’s perspective on contemporary societal challenges is informed by her roles as medical adviser for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (2016–current) and the Australian Defence Force (2007–2009), team doctor for an AFL football team (2005–2008), executive physician at BUPA Wellness (2012–2014) and emergency medicine doctor (2010–2016).
Prior to this, Mei was the youngest ministerial appointment to the board of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (2005–2010) in the organisation’s history. She has operated as an independent adviser and strategist under her own shingle, MDMD, since 2000. Clients have included the Parliament of Victoria, CSIRO Behaviour Change (The Shannon Company), LoopLearn, LifeReady, Steera and many others.
Mei was a founding mentor to the awarded Melbourne Accelerator Program and led the development of a proposal to establish an international campus and lifestyle destination for entrepreneurs, investors and cultural connectors in Melbourne. In 2017, this project was recognised as a major grant recipient by LaunchVic – Victoria’s state innovation fund.
An expert communicator, Mei has been engaged to address audiences for TEDMED, the UN General Assembly, Art Series Hotel Group, Westpac, Mallesons, the Department of Small Business Innovation and Trade, the Australian Medical Association, the International Aeronautical Federation, the European Space Agency, the Digital Women’s Network, Rock Health, Global Shapers, the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders Summit and the World Congress of Sport and Culture (Tokyo).
Mei holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Master of Public Health.
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Leisha Muraki
BFA, MEd Candidate
Brand strategy director
Leisha is a University of Washington–trained information designer and brand strategist. Her approach is built on the belief that in a knowledge-led society, the way we interact with information – its creation, distribution, storage, integration and use – demands effective design
Leisha’s understanding of design and holistic strategy has been informed by her roles with Alaska Airlines, Arup, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.
Leisha has been instrumental as a community builder and thought leader for the art, film, music and design sectors.
She has exhibited her data visualisation and design works at several galleries, including the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne), Gaffa Gallery (Sydney) and Jacob Lawrence Gallery (Seattle). Leisha’s work has also been featured in publications including Desktop Magazine, Time Out and PRINT’s design annual.
In 2011, Leisha was recognised as a ‘top American designer’ for her work with the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and was later named an ‘A-list designer’ by Australian Artisan (recruitment). In 2012, Leisha was appointed by the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) as a council member for the state of Victoria. Following her time with the organisation, Leisha became director of Uncoated, a media company producing curated and original content exploring the design industry and its challenges.
Her career in design has led to opportunities in the academic community. Leisha has lectured at Holmesglen Institute and RMIT University in the undergraduate and graduate design programs. She has also lectured at SIM Global Education (Singapore Institute of Management) in their design professional practice course.
Leisha continues to share her thoughts on the state of design and contemporary design practice as a regular guest speaker for the Australian Graphic Design Association, the Academy of Design Australia, the Design Institute of Australia, and RMIT University. In 2022, she accepted a Guest Lecturer position within the College of Arts and Sciences at her alma mater, the University of Washington.
Leisha holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in art history from the University of Washington and completed her Master of Education Candidature at RMIT University with a focus on undergraduate design education.
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Ellen Gonda
BA(Hons)
Communications director
Ellen is a passionate, strategic communications executive with extensive global experience across industries and disciplines, from start-ups to global companies. She has counselled companies and individuals in various capacities, frequently stepping in to provide crucial advice at critical inflection points.
Ellen has worked across industries, holding top communications roles at Etsy, Hilton Worldwide, and The Carlyle Group. In addition to clients in the music, SaaS, sustainable fashion and food industries, Ellen’s financial services clients have included Blue Haven Initiative, Boston Common Asset Management, The Rise Fund (TPG) and Wingate.
In 2011 Ellen was appointed as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Ellen holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Berkley with High Honours, and has completed Executive Education at both Yale University(Foundations for Leadership in the 21st Century: Values) and Harvard Kennedy School(Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century).
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Marissa Senzaki
BA (Psychology)
Talent acquisition adviser
Marissa is a seasoned Silicon Valley talent acquisitions expert. Her work with hyper-growth companies has informed her values-led approach to recruitment. In her speaking and advisory roles, Marissa advocates for human-centred strategies that put people first and enrich company culture as businesses scale.
With more than 15 years of experience in recruiting and HR, Marissa has worked with some of the world’s best-known technology names including Facebook, Skype, and Slack. As Slack’s first HR hire, Marissa was instrumental in growing the company from under 50 employees to a team of well over 850 globally, in less than 3 years.
A leading voice on the subject of human capital, Marissa has spoken at Future Assembly, Myriad, and Pivot Summit. In 2016, she appeared in Business Insider’s first-ever ‘Top 100 Coolest People in Australian Tech’ list. A former adviser for global non-profit Girls in Tech, Marissa helped to establish Australia’s first chapter, piloting the mentorship program for the growing community.
Marissa advocates for a humanistic approach to recruitment. Her experience working with startup ventures at a range of scales informs her belief in the importance of building people-first and values-aligned companies. Drawing on the lessons of Silicon Valley – the benefits of inclusive, mindful workplaces and the risks of sidelining employee wellbeing – Marissa brings first-hand knowledge to her advisory roles globally.
Marissa holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology from San Francisco State University.
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Keane Hughes
BDesign (Visual Communication)
Designer
Keane Hughes is a designer and illustrator who works across print and digital for a broad range of clients. His recent projects have included motion design, art direction and even a cheeky little TVC. Keane believes that an effective design solution relies not only on strong visuals but also on research: a well-thought-out idea with a clear purpose.
Keane started out studying fine arts, drawing nude models and spooky skeletons. After spending a few years honing his drawing and illustration skills, he completed a Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) at Billy Blue.
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Elyse Shapiro
BA (Biology), MBA
Capital & commercialisation adviser
Elyse is a sought after analyst and deep domain biotech and medtech analyst. With a particular interest in projects backed by science and medicine, she provides advice to fund managers on their healthcare investments
With strong US-Australia connections, Elyse has worked alongside companies at all stages through pre-IPO, IPO and their listed lives. Her experience is informed by roles as a healthcare analyst for Canaccord Genuity, Bell Potter, Wilsons in Melbourne Australia. Prior to this, Elyse worked as a biotechnology equity research associate at Cowen & Company, New York, New York.
As an adviser and equities analyst for small and mid cap companies ($100m-$2b), Elyse has steered a wide range of Australian startups and scale-ups.
Elyse’s philosophy is grounded in real solutions for real problems, assessing probability for regulatory and commercial success, and accountability for shareholder capital. Within the health sector she is a strong proponent of value-based care, which links clinical and technological investment to ongoing clinical improvement. As markets evolve, they continually re-frame opportunity. The potential Elyse sees is a new scope to align profit for corporates and investors with human benefit – returns deriving from response to need rather than exploitation of vulnerability.
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