Melissa completed a Bachelor of Business (Tourism) in 1997 while working at the Radisson Playford Hotel and Suites as an Account Manager. After gaining 4 years experience in the conference and events industry she moved to a smaller boutique hotel, Mount Lofty House where she worked as Conference Organiser for 3 years. From there she worked for a short period at the National Wine Centre and then moved to a membership based company coordinating Board/Director Education Programs at the Australian Institute of Company Directors. It was here she gained experience in corporate governance and is now working as Project Officer/Executive Assistant for Governance Matters on a part time basis while raising her two young children.