mj barnes

co-founder + ceo

melissa jane “mj” barnes is an advertising exec turned professor turned business owner.

born, bred, and educated in texas, mj started her career at global agency, cp+b miami, in 2007. when she wasn’t planning theme thursday’s, she was busy managing national campaigns for American Express Travel, Volkswagen, and Metlife.

in 2014, mj started teaching at the university of miami. in 2017, she launched and oversaw its first-ever, student-run communication consultancy - Orange Umbrella. the success of Orange Umbrella is a model for other student-run businesses across the country.

when she’s not working, mj can be found knee-deep in a nitro cold brew and a riveting conversation with captain, her 9-year-old maltipoo.