Melinda Burn joined Usalco as Chief Technology & Innovation Officer in June 2025. In this newly created role, she is responsible for developing and implementing the company's global innovation strategy, including creating a robust innovation funnel that aligns with the overall business strategy and market needs.
With more than 30 years of experience, Melinda has focused her career on connecting people and ideas at the intersection of technology, strategic marketing, and the customer interface. By bringing complex scientific solutions to market, she has helped to transform businesses and build sustainable customer experiences.
Before joining Usalco, Melinda served as Vice President of Strategic Marketing & Innovation for Solecta, Inc., a leader in innovative membrane separation solutions for the food & beverage, biotechnology, and industrial markets. Before that, she was the Vice President, Global Strategic Marketing and Innovation, for the Industrial WaterTechnologies business at Solenis LLC, based in Switzerland and the United States.
Melinda began her career in R&D at DuPont and has since held leadership positions with several leading specialty chemical companies, including Ashland, Invista, and Hercules. Her cross-functional background spans R&D, marketing, operations, product management, and commercial leadership. She is a Six Sigma certified Green Belt.
Melinda is an ardent champion of the next generation of innovators and the building of an innovation ecosystem. She works with thought leaders in industry, government, and academia, and serves on the board of the Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (DESCA). Melinda holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BSc in Honors Chemistry from the University of Alberta, Canada.