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Alumna Melissa Mash (CAS ’06) leads as co-founder and CEO of Dagne Dover, the performance bag brand renowned for thoughtful, functional design paired with modern aesthetics.
Before starting her venture, Mash honed her expertise at Coach, managing both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce wholesale businesses. Her tenure culminated in overseeing the turnaround of Coach’s first European location in a challenging economic downturn, where she recognized a clear gap in the market for stylish, organized, yet accessible bags
Crafting Bags That Move with You
Inspired by that experience, Mash co-created Dagne Dover alongside Deepa Gandhi and Jessy Dover to solve real-world carrying challenges. Their goal was ambitious but clear: create bags that not only looked good but could also keep up with the chaos of everyday life. With performance materials, intuitive organization, and inclusive aesthetics, Dagne Dover designed products meant to move seamlessly from the gym to the office to a night out. Today, the brand serves customers across generations, from young adults to seniors, who are drawn to its combination of durability and design.
Co-founders Jessy Dover, Melissa Mash, and Deepa Gandhi. Photo credit: Dagne Dover
Philosophy in Practice: Building with Intention
At her Female Founders Lunch in 2024, Mash offered insights into how she has built both the company and its culture. For her, being hands-on in every decision — whether about people, product, or strategy — has been essential to shaping Dagne Dover’s intentional growth. She stressed the importance of surrounding herself with adaptable, resilient co-founders, and she leads her team with a trust-first philosophy that underpins the company’s “work-from-anywhere” approach.
Mash has also emphasized capital efficiency, noting that every dollar matters when scaling a startup, and that thoughtful hiring practices — including trial periods — help ensure the right cultural fit. Above all, she believes that great products create their own marketing momentum. By focusing on product excellence, Dagne Dover has built a grassroots following where 40% of growth comes directly from customer word-of-mouth. “Make a product so good that customers become your advocates,” she said.
Her advice to founders reflects the company’s problem-solving DNA: every decision should start with a deep understanding of customer pain points. And just as importantly, she stressed, time should be treated as a sacred resource. Mash avoids rushing into decisions, choosing instead to be deliberate with how her time — and her team’s time — is spent.
What’s Next for Dagne Dover — and NYU’s Influence
Starting at NYU, Mash built a brand that bridges product design, cultural leadership, and sustainable business strategy. Her journey exemplifies how NYU alumni can translate academic and professional experiences into ventures that solve real-world problems. Looking ahead, Dagne Dover continues to raise the bar in functional fashion, proving that performance and style can — and should — go hand in hand.
To stay up to date on Dagne Dover, follow them on LinkedIn and Instagram!
