MELANIE BROCK, AM

Chief Executive Officer
Melanie Brock Advisory

A business leader, Melanie Brock AM is known as one of Australia’s pre-eminent Japan specialists. Melanie has a long history in executive leadership and strategic counsel roles across a diverse array of sectors. Melanie combines language skills, high-level political, media and business networks, and practical commercial business leadership.

Noted for her role in the advancement of the Australia-Japan relationship, Melanie was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia, AM, for significant service to Australia-Japan relations in January 2022. Melanie also received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation in 2020.

Melanie has collaborated with regional governments in Tohoku and the national government on specific areas such as the promotion of sport including during the 2019 Rugby World Cup, youth development through the establishment of support networks and mentoring sessions, as well as a range of activities related to engaging with women in regional Japan.

Among her roles, Melanie served as the Head Delegate for Australia’s W20 delegation in 2021.

Melanie currently serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Asahi Group Holdings, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Estate, Sega Sammy Holdings and is Chair Emeritus of the Australia & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

A long-term supporter of gender equality and women in leadership, Melanie established a not-for-profit called Celebrating Women in Japan. She has lent support to reconstruction activities in Tohoku following the 2011 earthquake. Melanie has been awarded an honorary ambassadorship in several towns because of her work.

Melanie is a respected media commentator, featuring regularly in the Australian Financial Review, Nikkei Asia and the ABC.