Melanie Hackler

CEO | From vision to execution | Scaling impact through strategic growth & transformation

Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

About

CEO and strategic leader shaping innovative industry and global growth. Turning vision into implementation and driving transformation with focus and conviction. Passionate about building what matters economically, technologically and responsibly. Strategic leader with over 20 years of experience in executive and interim management roles across global industrial and manufacturing environments. Currently serving as CEO of matterr, driving the strategic growth, governance and fundraising of a pioneering polyester depolymerisation technology that transforms circularity from vision to scalable industry. As founder of Melar, I advise organizations on strategy, structure and growth, bridging leadership, finance and impact. My focus lies on building resilient business models and governance frameworks that enable real transformation rather than short-term optimization. My background spans from serving as Business Partner to executive boards in multinational corporations to Managing Director and Executive Board Member roles. This journey has shaped a deep understanding of strategy and operations across Europe, North America and Asia, always connecting vision with implementation. Beyond industry, I contribute as author and panelist on leadership, innovation and values-based entrepreneurship. My work in “Frauen schaffen Zukunft” reflects a personal belief that sustainable progress requires courage, clarity and conviction. Driven by purpose and impact, I focus on turning waste into value and building sustainable industry that is economically sound, technologically strong and globally relevant. Let’s connect to explore collaboration on circular technologies, sustainable growth and meaningful leadership.

Experience

  • matterr (Self-employed · 2 yrs 1 mo)
    • Chief Executive Officer
      Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

      Driving the strategic growth and fundraising efforts of a pioneering company committed to revolutionizing polyester recycling. My focus is on scaling an innovative technology that contribute to a sustainable circular economy, transforming how polyester is recycled and reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. #circulareconomy #polyesterrecycling #transformation #impactinvestment #fundraising #stakeholdermanagement

    • Executive Board Member
      Jun 2024 - Dec 2024 · 7 mos

      Driving the strategic growth and fundraising efforts of a pioneering company committed to revolutionizing polyester recycling. My focus is on scaling an innovative technology that contribute to a sustainable circular economy, transforming how polyester is recycled and reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. #circulareconomy #polyesterrecycling #transformation #impactinvestment #fundraising #stakeholdermanagement

  • Author at Frankfurter Allgemeine Buch
    Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos

  • Owner / Managing Director at Melar GmbH
    Jan 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 6 mos

    Developing innovative strategies that align with circular economy principles, creating and implementing circular business models that help businesses to operate more sustainably and efficiently while reducing their environmental impact

  • Project Circular Textile Strategy at REMONDIS Recycling
    Nov 2022 - Jul 2023 · 9 mos

  • Project Lead Reverse Supply Chain (Green Invest) at H&M Group
    Jan 2022 - Oct 2022 · 10 mos

    Designed cross-industrial circular reverse supply collaboration for collecting and sorting of end-of-life textiles