Building initiatives
“It was a privilege to see Melina at her best when we partnered on a thought leadership event for health sector leaders. She identified what mattered, connected the right experts and helped drive meaningful change.”
— Annie Fenwick, CEO, EDI at Work
How I can contribute
I help shape an early idea into a purposeful initiative with a clear model and practical path forward.
Initiative design
I identify and convene the right partners, then align different interests around a shared purpose.
Partnership building
I develop reports, programs and content that make ideas accessible and build momentum for change.
Thought leadership
Some ideas are too important to stay ideas. Some initiatives are too good to stay small.
I bring people, organisations and diverse stakeholders together to build initiatives that turn good ideas into meaningful action across health and social change.
From bold ideas to collective action
Building Franklin Women from an idea into a nationally recognised social enterprise taught me what it takes to grow something meaningful. I learned how to bring people around a shared vision, align diverse interests and create the structure and momentum needed to move from ambition to action.
I bring that builder's mindset to collaborations of many kinds. They might involve shaping a thought leadership project, developing a new program, facilitating a cross-sector partnership or creating a podcast or content platform. Sometimes the work begins even earlier, with an important problem and the opportunity to approach it differently.
I do my best work with leaders, organisations and funders who are tackling important problems and are open to a collaborative approach. I am particularly drawn to projects focused on women's health, health innovation, philanthropy, inclusive leadership and systems change.
Bringing people and ideas together
Selected
thought leadership
I regularly contribute to conversations across women’s health, gender equity, research and social change. Here are a few of the ideas and issues I’ve explored through articles, podcasts, panels and talks.
How to turn one big idea into a social enterprise
What challenges do women in research face and why is it impacting everyone?
Research for What? podcast
Talking about your pay with others is awkward, but don’t shy away from it
Less than 20 per cent of Wikipedia bios are on women
The Power of Mentorship
Women in Sensing Summit, NSW Smart Sensing Network NSW Smart Sensing Network
How to Become a Contributor and Increase Diversity on Wikipedia
Have an idea worth moving forward?
Whether you’re developing an initiative or bringing people together around a shared vision, I would love to hear what you’re working on.