Mecca McDonald is a multi hyphenate force of both science and creativity. Majoring in Psychology and Economics at Johns Hopkins University, with a minor in Visual Arts, she always had one foot in the analytical world and the other in artistic expression. But it was the lockdown of 2020, in the isolation of her dorm, that ignited a personal revolution. Seeking connection in a world brought to a standstill, she found herself lost in a sea of TikToks, where resin art trended. Beneath the harmless craft, Mecca saw the hidden darkness—waves of plastic waste suffocating the planet. From that realization, a fire was lit.
Inspired by the pandemic’s heightened awareness of climate change, and armed with the conviction of “I can do better,” she set out on what many would call an impossible quest: to create a viable alternative to plastic. Her bold vision and relentless drive would lead her to a breakthrough that would capture the world's attention.
In 2024, her work culminated in a defining moment when she was awarded $100,000 from Alexis Ohanian’s 776 Climate Foundation, a major leap toward scaling her revolutionary bioplastic.
About the Visionary
But Mecca’s vision doesn’t stop at science. With over a decade of experience in creative direction, photography, and filmmaking, she founded Pedestal, a production company, during her senior year at Johns Hopkins in 2021. She has since produced and directed over 200 photoshoots, music videos, and short films, working with iconic brands like Apple, Adobe, and Fendi-Versace. In 2023, she achieved yet another milestone, executive producing and directing LIMINALITY, a short film with a $60,000 budget that premiered at the 2024 Essence Film Festival and claimed the Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film.
From crafting bioplastics to creating cinematic masterpieces, Mecca McDonald is a visionary at the intersection of art, science, and social change, shaping the future with each daring step.
