Melissa Monteiro

Background

About Melissa Monteiro

Melissa Monteiro is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Migrant Resource Centre, having a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work, Melissa has over 27 years of experience within the community Sector. Recently she was recognised as an Impact25 Australia and won Pro Bono Australia Collaborator Award. She is currently the Chair of the Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA), Board Member of NSW Health, Western Sydney LHD, former Board Director on Anti - Discrimination NSW & current member of PMAC Police Multicultural Advisory Council. Melissa has an extensive background in advocating for and developing services for vulnerable and at-risk communities and individuals with more than twenty-five years’ involvement in both a professional and voluntary capacity. Through her leadership, Melissa believes that a collaborative, coordinated, community-based response is the most effective vehicle for addressing the issues of family violence from prevention and intervention through protection, outreach and follow-up. Adjunct Fellow at the Western Sydney University School of Psychology Her special areas of expertise are in the non-government sector includes building the capacity of small and emerging communities, governance and policy development, leadership skills development, women & youth mentoring and decision-making skills. This is best displayed when Melissa mentors and supports several new and emerging ethnic community organisations. Melissa continues to advocate on behalf of migrant & refugee client groups and representing their interests at various levels. AWARDS: Pro Bono Australia IMPACT 25 & Collaborator Award NSW Fire Services Award (2009) University of Western Sydney Community Award (2013) Published Author: The Girl from Mumbai: A Migrant Story Salvation Army Multicultural Ambassador 2020-2022 NSW Local Woman of the Year Hills 2024