Melissa Monteiro is an experienced and well-established expert in the field of settlement, having gained experience across several community issues and causes. Her passion for community work was evident early in life as a pre-teen, and during her studies in India at the College of Social Work, where she gained a master’s degree in Social Work. Melissa displays genuine appreciation and concern about people, providing a wealth of support and mentoring to individuals, groups and communities.

Melissa has strategically navigated diverse environments, through her broad knowledge and skills in community development practice and consultation methods. Her strength lies in the ability to build solid and trustworthy relations with community workers, local governments and key leaders within diverse communities.

As the CEO of the Community Migrant Resource Centre, over the past two decades Melissa has mentored hundreds of individuals, community leaders and not-for-profit ethnic community organisations in Western Sydney. She has fostered over 200 collaborations and partnerships through staff that she leads. Melissa advocates on behalf of vulnerable client groups, representing their interests to all levels of government.