Melanie Brock, Japan

Melanie is an accomplished business leader and one of Australia's pre-eminent Japan specialists, with extensive experience in executive leadership across diverse sectors. She combines exceptional language skills, high-level political and business networks, and practical commercial leadership to advance Australia-Japan relations. Recognized for her significant contributions, Melanie was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in January 2022 and received the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation in 2020.

Melanie currently serves as a non-executive director on the boards of major Japanese corporations including Asahi Group Holdings, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Estate, and Sega Sammy Holdings. A long-term advocate for gender equality in Japan, she established the not-for-profit organization Celebrating Women in Japan and maintains a prominent voice as a media commentator, regularly featured in the Australian Financial Review, Nikkei Asia, and the ABC.