‘One of the most defining periods in my career was leading a complex organisational transformation while serving as CEO. We were strengthening governance, renewing culture and building a more capable executive team, all while delivering services at scale. It reinforced for me how isolating leadership can be, particularly when the weight of accountability sits squarely with you.’

Melissa Perry is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and senior executive with more than 25 years’ leadership experience in Australia’s social impact and human services sectors. She has led large, multi-site organisations through periods of growth, reform and operational complexity, with a focus on governance, executive capability and sustainable performance.

Melissa served for over a decade as CEO of Communicare, a Western Australian community service provider, where she led a $36 million organisation employing 390 staff and 120 volunteers across 38 locations. During her tenure, she oversaw organisational growth, secured major government contracts and led the acquisition and integration of White Ribbon Australia, expanding its national footprint.

She has worked extensively with Boards, government and cross-sector partners, and currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Landgate, where she chairs the People, Environment and Sustainability Committee. She is also a Non-Executive Director at the Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence and Chair of its Clinical Governance Committee. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Social Work, an MBA from the Australian Institute of Management and was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 2024.

• CEO of Communicare for over 10 years, leading a $36M organisation with 390 staff and 120 volunteers
• Increased organisational revenue from $26M to $36M and achieved a 75% success rate in competitive tenders
• Led the national acquisition and integration of White Ribbon Australia
• Held senior executive roles with Mission Australia and Centrecare, delivering large-scale government-funded programs
• Appointed to multiple state and national Board roles, including Landgate and Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence
• Awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship to study global best practice in family violence intervention