Chair and Director Corporate Affairs, Chair Coopers Foundation
Mel was appointed Chair of Coopers Brewery in 2023, the first female Chair in its history, and is the brewery’s Director of Corporate Affairs.
Graduating from Adelaide University with a Bachelor of Economics, Mel worked for Price Waterhouse before joining the Brewery in 1985 as Assistant Accountant, and was appointed Company Secretary in 1989 and a Director in 2009, following her father Bill Cooper’s retirement.
Mel is also Chair of the Coopers Brewery Foundation.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Mel has held Board positions with J & AG Johnston, the Prime Minister’s Community and Business Partnership, Burnside Hospital Foundation, the Neurosurgical Research Foundation and the Drinks Association’s national committees on gender reform.
Mel received the Member of the Order of Australia Medal (AM) for philanthropic service to the community and leadership, and is Patron of St John’s Youth Services.