3 June: An evening with Melanie Harris, Head of Indigenous Engagement & Export, Austrade.

Join us in-person with Melanie Harris, Head of Indigenous Engagement & Export at Austrade. Melanie will share lessons from her journey as Australia first female Indigenous Trade & Investment Commission from a small town in coastal NSW to the international metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Indigenous business sector is an area of significant untapped export potential, and in her new role Melanie is leading across all levels of government to realise this potential. Melanie will discuss the opportunities and challenges for Indigenous businesses, and how the broader business community can lean in.

This event will be held under Chatham House rules.

Speaker:

Melanie is currently the Head of Indigenous Export at the Australian Trade & Investment Commission (Austrade). In this role Melanie works with Indigenous businesses looking to export, building capability, showcasing success and liaising across Government to progress economic self-determination of Indigenous businesses.

Prior to that role, Melanie was Australia's first female Indigenous Trade & Investment Commission and was posted to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In that role she supported Australian businesses on their export journey to Malaysia & Brunei.

Melanie has over 25 years experience across a broad range of international trade, project management, organisation transformation, leadership and change functions in both the public and private sectors.

Melanie loves to work where she can make an impact and develop herself and the people around her. She is curious by nature and love to know how and why things work the way they do. She loves meeting people and building great relationships by connecting with people.

Melanie is a lifelong learner and always has a new thing that she's learning. In her personal life she loves to push and stretch herself by trying new things and setting ambitious goals, as well as reading a good book.