Melinda provides strategic communications advice to CGAP’s Segments and Insights (Gender), Sector Support, and Climate projects. She also works across CGAP to strengthen its communications partnerships with influential organizations and individuals, including CGAP’s members, to help its insights and knowledge reach their networks.
Melinda came to CGAP with 15 years of global experience influencing government, multilateral, and private sector stakeholders towards public policy goals. She worked in the World Bank’s External and Corporate Relations unit on partnerships and human development initiatives, for the Women Entrepreneur’s Finance Initiative, and in donor relations for IFC. Previously, Melinda led the New Zealand Embassy’s outreach to the U.S. Congress, was a political advisor at the British Embassy in New Zealand, served at New Zealand’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and began her career as a tax treaty negotiator for the New Zealand government.
Melinda holds a Master’s degree in International Relations, and is a qualified barrister and solicitor in New Zealand.