Melissa Hibbért is the Founder & President of Beauty Founders Agency, (formerly known as SHYFT Beauty Consulting Agency), a top multicultural brand strategy and marketing firm for emerging beauty brands. No stranger to business, Melissa celebrates a successful 14-year corporate career in multicultural advertising, product marketing and brand management, Melissa combines her passion for beauty with a strong commitment to helping founder-led brands grow. She established SHYFT Beauty, now Beauty Founders Agency in 2019, after a successful decade as a Beauty Expert in the Film & TV Industries. Today, she helps emerging & early-stage beauty brands by creating effective growth strategies, improving retail distribution, developing inclusive products, and building strong influencer partnerships and unique product experiences.  To futher her commitment to impacting early-stage brands, in June 2025, Melissa launched EMERGE Beauty Innovation Studio - designed to democratize beauty innovation for emerging brands through accessible and strategic product development.

Melissa led the success of Cécred, Beyoncé's innovative hair collection, as a top consultant for product testing and marketing insights. She is a strong supporter of emerging brands and guides private investors seeking creative leadership and profitable ideas. Melissa helps clients expand into retailers like Target, Ulta Beauty, TJ Maxx, Target, Thirteen Lune, and Sephora, enhancing her reputation as an effective industry leader. A proud graduate of Fisk University, she has a Bachelor's degree in political science and public administration, along with a Masters in Business Administration. In addition to her professional work, Melissa serves as an advisor, mentor, board member, and investor, reflecting her commitment to innovation and elevation in the beauty industry. Above all, she is a dedicated mother to her daughter, Milan, which fuels her passion for excellence.