Melissa Brandes

VP, Global Equestrian Sales & Director, Ocala Salon Sales

T: 561.318.8671
melissa@luganodiamonds.com

Melissa is an experienced sales, marketing, and sponsorship professional with a demonstrated 20-year history in the equestrian sports industry, an industry that both Melissa and Moti, CEO and founder of Lugano, hold close to their hearts.

Originally from Bueno Aires, Argentina, Melissa moved to the United States to pursue her career in equestrian sports and management. For 20 years, she worked for Blenheim EquiSports, a premier equestrian event management group that produces renowned events in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. During her time there, she was part of a team that managed the first U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team trial held in the West Coast.

Melissa joined Lugano in 2021 to spearhead the company’s efforts into growing the business from within the Equestrian community. Now, Melissa lives in Winter Garden, Florida and holds a position as director of equestrian for Lugano’s renowned equestrian collection and is the sitting salon director of Lugano’s Ocala location.

She loves to ski, spend time with her husband and kids, and travel the world. If she could live anywhere in the world, it would be Switzerland. The natural beauty, diverse culture and high quality of life mixed with the idyllic storybook Swiss Alps has all the makings of a fairy tale to her.