VAULT FOUNDERS
where it all started…
Melina Zarboulas
Co-Founder and President SS23-SS25
Melina is the founder and former president of The Vault, and a May ’25 graduate of Information and Computer Science. Melina currently coordinates the Partnerships Team at Shopbop/Amazon in New York City, with former experience at LVMH and Gucci.
Melina first had the idea for The Vault in early 2023, where she saw a real market for creative and artistic expression across the UW Madison campus. She built and scaled the 550+ member organization, directing over 100 events and brand partnerships, leading cross-functional teams, managing major communications and financial efforts, and serving as the creative director for all fashion shows throughout her time as president, all while creating sustainable systems for long-term success post her graduation.
At Shopbop, Melina coordinates the end-to-end partnerships and activations pipeline, from identifying brand partners to executing multi-channel campaigns and collaborations across social, influencer, retail, and experiential touchpoints. She collaborates with creative, marketing, PR, fashion, influencer, and data teams to align partnership concepts with the brand, and making sure every activation is measurable and impactful. Many of the skills and techniques she uses at Shopbop daily were shaped during her time building The Vault, and she credits it with teaching her how to scale teams, manage complex projects, and lead with empathy and creativity. Melina carries the foundation from The Vault with her into every partnership she helps bring to life!
Melina’s favorite part of leading The Vault has always been watching students arrive with zero experience and leave with confidence, whether that’s demonstrated through a newfound skill, portfolio pieces, new friendships, or simply finding a place where they feel they belong.
Marlo Pulliam
Co-Founder and Vice President SS23-SS25
Marlo is the founder and former VP of The Vault, and a December '24 graduate of Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies, and International Studies.
Marlo moved to New York to explore different creative passions and is currently working as an Art Associate at Glue Gallery, an Account Executive for Le Range Events Agency, and Chief Organizational Officer at Casa Bombon. Marlo has always immersed herself in the creative world, and she saw her love of fashion as an opportunity to build a thriving artistic community in Madison - a talented city full of untapped potential.
Marlo’s vision for The Vault centered on creating an environment where students exchange opportunities, explore their passions, and fully dive into their craft. From the start, the community became a space where people learned from one another’s perspectives, backgrounds, and skills. Marlo believes that failing to explore your passions and the diverse stories around you is a disservice to both yourself and the world. She prioritizes the idea of embracing creative individuality and letting that freedom fuel personal growth.
Marlo’s favorite part of The Vault was witnessing the connections formed through over 100 workshops, panels, and shows she led and directed over the years, and finding beauty in the thoughtful details woven into each experience.
