Canva is making headlines after announcing a major workforce restructuring. But it is the company's response to the job cuts that has caught attention.
At the centre of the development is co-founder and CEO Melanie Perkins, whose message to employees has sparked conversations about how companies handle layoffs.
From starting a small business as a teenager to building a global design platform, Perkins has had an unconventional journey.
Who is the woman behind Canva? What led to the job cuts, and what makes the company's approach stand out?
Who Is Melanie Perkins? Meet The Woman Behind Canva
Melanie Perkins is an Australian entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Canva, one of the world's best-known online design platforms.
Born in 1987, Perkins showed an interest in business early on. At 14, she began selling handmade scarves to shops and markets in Perth, Australia.
She later studied communications, psychology, marketing and management at the University of Western Australia, where she also taught students to use design software such as Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
From Fusion Books To Building Canva
While teaching, Perkins noticed that design programmes were difficult to learn, with students spending an entire semester understanding the tools before creating designs. This inspired her to imagine a simpler online platform that anyone could use.
In 2007, she teamed up with her then-partner and future husband, Cliff Obrecht, to launch Fusion Books, an online yearbook-making business.
Started from her mother's living room, it eventually became Australia's largest yearbook publisher, expanding into France and New Zealand.
Perkins then decided to take the idea further. Along with Obrecht and technology entrepreneur Cameron Adams, she co-founded Canva, which launched in 2013.
Despite repeated investor rejections, she persisted. Canva eventually grew into a global technology company with hundreds of millions of users.
What Happened At Canva? 1,271 Employees Affected
On November 4, 2026, Canva announced a restructuring affecting 1,271 employees, around 22% of its workforce.
CEO Melanie Perkins called it the hardest moment in the company's 13-year history and apologised to affected employees and their families.
She cited the company's first slowdown in growth in a decade as a reason for the decision.
The restructuring includes merging the Product, Growth and Platform teams, reducing management layers and combining overlapping responsibilities.
Sydney will become the primary base for more product teams, requiring some employees to relocate. From January 2027, most employees on hybrid arrangements will be expected to work from the office two to three days a week.
Canva has cited slowing growth and organisational changes as reasons for the restructuring.
Six Months' Salary, Free MacBooks And $10,000 Grants
Canva's exit package for affected employees includes:
At least six months' salary: Including statutory entitlements, regardless of location.
Free MacBooks: Employees can keep their company-issued laptops.
12 months of healthcare: In countries where Canva provides coverage.
One year of LinkedIn Premium: Along with career support, including one-to-one coaching, interview preparation and CV assistance.
12 months of Canva Care: Including coverage for family members.
Additionally, through its Canva Collective Fund, departing employees can register for US$10,000 grants to start a business or work on a community project. The deadline is December 14, 2026, and Canva will not take ownership or equity in these ventures.
Employees can also opt into an alumni talent directory that Canva plans to share with investors, partners and industry contacts.
Why Is Melanie Perkins Being Praised?
Canva's exit package has sparked discussions on LinkedIn, Instagram and X, with employees and social media users highlighting the support offered to departing staff.
A former employee, who said she joined Canva in 2023, shared her experience of being laid off. While acknowledging the difficulty of losing her job, she described Canva as the best organisation she had worked for.
She also recalled the support she received during maternity leave, including an extension and arrangements that allowed her to temporarily relocate to Dubai.
Perkins has also drawn attention for the company's severance package, which includes financial assistance, healthcare coverage, career support and grants for employees interested in starting businesses or community projects.
TL;DR | News At A Glance
Who is Melanie Perkins?
Melanie Perkins is the Australian co-founder and CEO of Canva. She previously co-founded Fusion Books, an online yearbook company, in 2007.
Why is Melanie Perkins in the news?
She is in the spotlight after Canva announced a restructuring affecting 1,271 employees, or around 22% of its workforce, on November 4, 2026.
Why is Canva laying off employees?
Canva cited its first slowdown in growth in a decade and the need to simplify its organisational structure and prepare for future business needs.
What severance package is Canva offering?
Affected employees will receive at least six months' salary, healthcare coverage where available, free MacBooks, one year of LinkedIn Premium and career support.
What is Canva's $10,000 grant for laid-off employees?
Through the Canva Collective Fund, departing employees can apply for US$10,000 grants to start businesses or undertake community projects. The company will not take equity in these ventures.
Is AI the reason behind Canva's layoffs?
AI is changing the creative software industry, but Canva's stated reasons for the restructuring include slowing growth and organisational changes. It has not cited AI as the sole cause.
