Melissa Cash

Melissa Cash is the co-founder and CEO of Pok Pok, a company specializing in Montessori educational technology that develops digital toys aimed at fostering creativity and healthy screen time for children. Under Cash's leadership, Pok Pok has received recognition, including the Apple Design Award and the App Store Award, for its approach to non-addictive, Montessori-inspired play experiences. Cash focuses on creating engaging, low-stimulation digital environments that support open-ended learning, influencing the intersection of technology and early childhood education.

Cash's career includes roles in marketing, product design, and operations, with experience at Snowman—where she contributed to the Alto series mobile games—and The Walt Disney Company, designing products for babies and toddlers. Her background in both digital and physical product development has prepared her to address the challenges of entrepreneurship, fundraising, and scaling a mission-driven startup. Cash also serves as an advisor and founding member of organizations that support women in technology and entrepreneurship.

Cash has spoken about the challenges she has faced, including closing a multimillion-dollar fundraising round for Pok Pok shortly after giving birth and balancing motherhood with leading a growing company. Her insights on leadership, resilience, and community have made her a speaker at industry events and podcasts. Cash's work highlights the role of intentional design and empathetic leadership in educational technology.