Meet Melissa Vander Schaaf

Jul 3

New Project Lead and Office Lead - encompas, Omaha, NE

3 minute read

Melissa Vander Schaaf - Project Lead and Office Leaed at encompas, Omaha, NE

We’re thrilled to introduce Melissa Vander Schaaf, Project Lead at encompas in Omaha. With an impressive career spanning over two decades in the Commercial Interiors and Contract Furniture industry, Melissa brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and enthusiasm to our team.

Melissa’s Journey in Design

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Iowa State University. Her career in interior design started in 1992 when she realized her passion for creating beautiful spaces outweighed her initial interest in journalism. Melissa has since held various influential roles, including Interior Designer at furniture dealerships in Iowa and Omaha, and Facilities Planner at First National Bank of Omaha for 10 years.

Melissa is also a certified NCIDQ designer, which underscores her expertise and dedication to the field.

"As Designers we impact people's lives in such a positive way —we are *lucky* to help!”

Passion for Design and Client Satisfaction

Melissa has a profound passion for creating spaces that enhance the way people live and work. As she puts it, "I want to help businesses grow and attract and retain the talent they need by creating environments that embody their culture… showing their employees that they are valued.”

Melissa finds joy in being creative, whether it's working on layouts or creating color boards. Her dedication to her craft and her clients is evident, and she looks forward to bringing her expertise to encompas.

Getting to know Melissa

When she's not at work, Melissa loves live music and going to concerts, especially bands like Collective Soul, Maroon 5, Duran Duran, and the Goo Goo Dolls. She’s an avid reader, enjoying "Devil in the White City" and the "Outlander" series.

Melissa enjoys comedy and movies, particularly James Bond films and classics like "Office Space" and "The Princess Bride." She’s a skilled seamstress and also enjoys travelling, kayaking, baking, home improvement projects, and yard work.

She also loves spending time with her husband and their three dogs—Gidget, “Emmett the Otter,” and Gary. Her favorite foods are chicken noodles and Arby’s, and she secretly dreams of becoming a cake decorator someday.

Looking Ahead

In her new role, Melissa is excited to begin cultivating business in our Omaha market, working with our team to deliver successful projects and build lasting client relationships.

Please join us in welcoming Melissa to encompas! For any inquiries or to connect with Melissa, feel free to reach out below. Here’s to many successful collaborations ahead!