Speakers

Melinda manages the Australian Steel Institute’s (ASI) Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) certification program—Australia’s most widely adopted sustainability certification for the steel industry. SSA is at the forefront of sustainable steel, providing a robust, independently audited framework that assesses and recognises sustainability performance across the entire steel supply chain, from upstream steel producers to downstream fabricators, roll formers and reinforcing processors.

With more than 25 years’ experience in sustainability across the construction and built environment sectors, Melinda has worked closely with businesses and industry to strengthen sustainable practices, support the achievement of environmental targets, and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. She is passionate about raising the benchmark for sustainability in the built environment, challenging industry to progress while ensuring sustainability objectives remain practical and achievable for businesses.

Melinda represents the steel industry on the Green Building Council of Australia’s Responsible Products Expert Reference Panel and holds a BSc and MEnSc.

2026 Ambassador Statement: Having worked across sustainability and construction for more than 20 years, I’ve seen how important it is to embed sustainability into every stage of decision-making—from tenders and contracts, through to design, construction, and operation. The growing focus on circularity in the building and construction industry helps close the loop on sustainable materials, and Steel Sustainability Australia plays a key role in this by providing a trusted pathway for industry to source certified sustainable steel from local suppliers - improving transparency, reducing impact, and driving meaningful change.