I’m Melissa Horrell — a British-Canadian-Francophile born in Uganda, shaped by the world, and called to the wild edge of healing and leadership.

From an early age, I was captivated by human potential — how we heal, how we grow, and how we find meaning in the spaces in between. I grew up between continents, the daughter of a former MI6 director and an artist-academic mother, whose nomadic Levantine roots planted in me an innate sensitivity to culture, creativity, and change. This early exposure to the world – including living in iconic cities like London, Paris, Brussels, NYC, Miami -became a foundation for what I now call soulful leadership — one rooted in courage, empathy, and deep listening.

In 1999, I set off on a solo journey that would change my life — a transformative trip through Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas that sparked a lifelong devotion to wellness, nature, and human connection. From skydiving in New Zealand to gorilla trekking in Uganda, hiking the Annapurna Trail, fundraising for New Hope Orphanage, Uganda, living with families in Europe to learn Spanish/Italian, and meeting displaced Tibetan refugees, I sought more than adventure — I was chasing depth, healing, and understanding. My loved ones lovingly dubbed me “Indiana Joan,” a tribute to my fearless grandmother who paved the way for bold women.

After returning from that soul-searching trip, I felt a clear call to the healing arts. I began training in aromatherapy and massage in London, later expanding into reflexology, yoga, and counselling. What began as personal healing evolved into a 20+ year career in wellness and hospitality. I went on to direct one of British Columbia’s largest spa resorts, open my own award-winning spa, and eventually create Cave Cure & Therapies, a holistic mineral spa that grew into a 7-figure business — supporting hundreds of clients on their healing journeys.

I also founded White Ocean Gallery, a sanctuary for beauty, art, and expression in the heart of Vancouver’s art district, Granville Island, and consulted on multiple wellness projects across Canada. My work is always infused with creativity, intuition, and a deep reverence for the body and spirit.

But I’ve also known loss.

My brother, who lived with schizophrenia, died by suicide — a loss that broke me open and deepened my understanding of grief, mental health, and the quiet resilience required to keep going. I’ve walked through miscarriage, the pain of starting over, and the challenge of building a new life (many new lives) far from home. Each experience has shaped the way I hold space for others — with compassion, truth, and softness.

“I had a pull to see different countries, to understand how other people lived, what beliefs they had, what the landscape looked like. I came home deeply enriched and transformed. Staying in touch with people from different cultures  brings a form of connection and worldliness that is meaningful and empowering.

Not everyone is content with the status quo, sometimes you must go beyond your limits to understand where you truly belong.”