What inspires Mel?

Kindness, people watching, belly laughs, early mornings and late nights, tight deadlines, loud music, and my mother (she is totally brilliant).

Mel Safford is a Strategic Advisor for Chicago Ideas, helping to curate stage programming, speakers and community activations for Chicago Ideas Week and year-round events and initiatives. Mel also oversees The Chicago Ideas Radical Creators, a social ecosystem of deeply driven, boldly active individuals coming together to create a better connected, distinctive community in Chicago.

Mel is a connector at heart, searching for experiences and content to spark curiosity and add value. Prior to joining Chicago Ideas, Mel worked with Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Studios, booking celebrity and newsmaker interviews for features on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network and Oprah.com digital series and campaigns.

Mel started her career at DePaul University, managing their career development events program and later worked with LivingSocial helping coordinate Chicago-based events. Mel also works as a producer for A Drink With, DAYBREAKER and is an AFAA certified group fitness and dance instructor.