Melina Schamroth

Multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and author Melina Schamroth is in the business of making a difference. Melina is the Founder of m.a.d.woman (making a difference). In addition to her own charitable efforts, she has created hundreds of programs and events to connect people with each other and with their communities. She has also spoken to tens of thousands of people nationally and internationally. Melina has inspired and engaged 8000+ people to help her to support nearly 400,000 others facing social, physical, mental or financial disadvantage in Australia and beyond. Her unique corporate team building events make a difference. From small groups to large teams, Melina's events unite participants – all while producing tangible outcomes for projects in need. Among other accolades, Melina was named The CEO Magazine 2013 Executive of the Year for Community Achievement, co-named 2009 RMIT Communicator of the Year with acclaimed human rights activist The Hon. Michael Kirby. Her business m.a.d.woman has won awards including the National 2011 Telstra Business Awards – Yellow Pages Social Responsibility Award. The creator of the international Grateful in April project, Melina also founded and ran the m.a.d.woman foundation for several years (unfortunately having to close it during lockdowns). She also created the unique Single Volunteers dating program and Gals Doin’ Good networking events. Be it the likes of bushfire and other disaster relief, helping the hungry and homeless or supporting neglected animals, Melina is continually finding innovative ways to motivate and engage people. Her achievements include engaging teams to cook more than 80,000 meals for hungry and homeless Australians. Other projects have aided thousands of people – Black Saturday bushfire victims, disabled and disadvantaged youth, long-term unemployed and more. Melina and m.a.d.woman have attracted significant media coverage including many television, radio, newspaper and magazine slots. Prior to starting m.a.d.woman, Melina spent 18 years working in journalism, communication, marketing and PR roles for a variety of global companies and leading organisations in Australia and New Zealand. These include top 100 companies, Government, not for profit groups, private companies and emerging businesses. Melina is also the author of three books. She has studied Philanthropy and Social Investment in addition to doing extensive pro bono work for not-for-profit organisations in Australasia.