Melissa Musiker, is the Interim Head of Communications at UPSIDE Foods, the leading cultivated meat company. She is also the Founder and Principal of Six Mile Creek Strategy, a strategic communications consultancy specializing in life sciences, ag tech, food tech, and biotech. Known for translating complex topics for lay audiences, she excels in driving business outcomes through science-centered storytelling; guiding companies through critical business inflection points to enhance reputation and valuation. In addition, Melissa serves as an Advisor at the Cornell Center for Life Science Ventures and Mentor at Cornell University eLab. Previously, she was Senior Director of International Public Affairs at McDonald's, overseeing global public affairs across 119 markets and a communication strategy consultant at APCO Worldwide and Mission North. Melissa holds a Master in Public Policy, Health Policy from Georgetown University and a BS in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University. She is also a Registered Dietitian.