Melissa Riley in

Melissa Riley

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Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Development at The Benevolent Society
📍 Greater Brisbane Area, Australia

Melissa is the Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Development at The Benevolent Society, where she leads the First Nations Strategy. Her career spans leadership roles at The Minderoo Foundation and Commonwealth Bank, focusing on Indigenous employment and leadership. She holds both a Bachelors and Masters degree from QUT.

Describing herself as a "teacher at heart, " Melissa is driven by community empowerment and cultural integrity. She is a passionate advocate for First Nations voices in all levels of decision-making and is committed to fostering environments where others can succeed, showing pride in the success of young professionals.

Unique fact: She directed the strategic transition of the First Nations Employment Index to an Indigenous organization to uphold Indigenous data sovereignty principles.

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Experience
4 Years
Current Role
Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Development
Job Level
Mid-senior
Location
Greater Brisbane Area, Australia
Personality Overview

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Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

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Priorities

Topics Melissa cares about

Indigenous Leadership
Her career is dedicated to creating and leading programs that empower First Nations leadership and embed cultural authority within major organizations.
First Nations Strategy
She develops and implements organization-wide strategies, including at Commonwealth Bank and The Benevolent Society, to improve First Nations employment, retention, and career growth.
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Career

Work history

7-2025
Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Development
The Benevolent Society
1-2025 - 10-2025
General Manager Research and Capability
The Alliance (National Indigenous Employment & Training Alliance)
5-2023 - 1-2025
Head of Industry & Capability
The Minderoo Foundation
9-2022 - 1-2025
Senior Manager- Indigenous Engagement, Technology and Operations
Commonwealth Bank
8-2022 - 5-2023
Senior Manager (Indigenous Engagement)
Commonwealth Bank (CBA)
In the press

Media appearances

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Education
Bachelor's degree
QUT (Queensland University of Technology)
Master's degree
QUT (Queensland University of Technology)
Social presence
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Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

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