Meet the Team

Melisa Stefas

Melisa Stefas is the founder and principal of The Melin Rae Group, a Nashville-based corporation focused on building and supporting design-led, experiential ventures at the intersection of retail, events, and spatial design. With over 20 years of experience in marketing—including leadership roles in the Bay Area technology sector and her current position at Sephora—Melisa brings deep expertise in brand strategy, consumer engagement, and operational execution.

She holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BA in Communications from UNLV, and is currently pursuing a degree in Interior Design to further strengthen the group’s design and experiential capabilities.

Founder / CEO

the melin rae group

Stephanie Interbartolo

Stephanie Interbartolo brings a dynamic blend of entrepreneurial vision, Fortune 500 expertise and hospitality-driven creativity to this endeavor. With over two decades of leadership in strategic marketing, brand partnerships and international business development, she has a proven track record of launching and scaling ventures across industries. From spearheading multimillion-dollar integrated sponsorship deals to crafting immersive consumer experiences, Stephanie has a proven track record at transforming ideas into thriving enterprises.She is the founder of la tavola in Austin, TX, a boutique culinary experience brand specializing in Mediterranean-inspired catering, grazing tables and private chef services. Stephanie combines her refined culinary sensibility and passion for elegant entertaining with a deep respect for heritage preservation, helping to reimagine this restoration as a distinctive venue and culinary destination.

COO / GM

Steve Mabee

With 18 years in the real estate industry, Steve Mabee co-founded North by Northeast Development in 2012 and Greenline Partners in 2014. Steve led both companies to successful track records in both residential and commercial real estate development. With prior construction industry experience, along with acumen for construction finance and accounting, Steve helped his companies develop more than $100m in commercial and residential real estate in the last ten years. In 2017, Steve co-founded MW Real Estate, a residential real estate brokerage, with Nathan Weinberg and Davey Mabee. Additionally, Steve is co-founder and owner of hospitality ventures Retrograde Coffee, Ugly Mugs Coffee and Stahlman Hospitality. Retrograde Coffee and Ugly Mugs are Nashville specialty coffee cafes in three cafe locations with two more in production. Stahlman Hospitality focuses on boutique hotels with its first offering, Lily Hall, in Pensacola, FL. Built in a 1928 historic church, Lily Hall features 15 hotel rooms, a full-service Spanish restaurant Brother Fox, and a prohibition-style speakeasy Sister Hen.

Construction & Development

Kelly Boutwell

Kelly Boutwell is a hospitality and wine professional based in Nashville, with more than 20 years of experience. After college, she started as a Wine Director and Sommelier for a multi-million dollar restaurant beverage program, and has hosted hundreds of public and private wine tastings and dinners. Kelly is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and in 2021, earned the expert level credential, Diploma in Wines, from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Kelly currently works full time as a freelance hospitality, operations, and wine consultant. Her company, Serious Sip, LLC, offers a range of hospitality consulting and project management services that include marketing strategy, human resources and operations, wine list development, and private cellar development. Kelly is a WSET Wine educator and is an instructor with Southeastern Beverage Education (SEBEVED) in Nashville. Additionally, she guides small group Wine Explorations to the Italian regions of Piemonte, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Tuscany.

Advisor