Melanie Brock is one of Japan's most respected APAC specialists. She uniquely combines practical commercial business leadership and language skills to consistently deliver on business, regulatory and partnership outcomes for Japanese and foreign corporations both on global and domestic levels. Melanie has an excellent network in Japan’s corporate, political and government sectors - her network of senior Japanese politicians and executives is unique. Melanie has a media prolife regularly featuring in the Nikkei, Australian Financial Review and the ABC giving her an unparalleled media network. Her guest speaking engagements include for business and NGO groups in Japanese and English. Melanie is Chair Emeritus of the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan having completed over six years as Chair. She is a member of the ‘Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee’ (AJBCC) and spent five years on the Australia Japan Foundation Board. Other highlights of Melanie Brock’s 20 year plus experience include leading nationwide marketing campaigns, successful bilateral free trade agreement and architect of regional Japan CSR activities. Melanie is currently engaged by several companies as a senior advisor including Tanarra, AIG and Rugby Australia. She has also been a member of the Australia-Japan Research Centre Advisory Board since July 2019 and an Advance Global Ambassador since October 2019. Melanie remains passionate about assisting with reconstruction activities in areas of Japan effected by the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. She was awarded an honorary ambassadorship in several towns in the Tohoku area for her work in Tohoku post 3.11. She is committed to ensuring more young people, Japanese and Australians, become more involved in the Australian Japan relationship. Melanie was born in Albany, Western Australia, is a graduate of University of Western Australia and has a Masters Degree (Conference Interpreting and Translation) from University of Queensland. Melanie is a mum and a grandmother and has lived and worked in Japan for 27 years.