With more than 20 years of experience in the HR field, Melissa brings extensive knowledge in recruitment, career development and people leadership. Before joining Dio, she worked at the University of Auckland, where her passion for the education sector was ignited.
Melissa says the role at Dio immediately resonated with her. “I believe strongly in the value of education and the impact it has on shaping and strengthening communities. This felt like a unique opportunity to support women and education, while contributing to a school with such a proud history and clear sense of direction,” she explains.
Melissa is responsible for attracting and retaining great Dio team members – teachers and support staff – and ensuring everyone feels supported to thrive. She oversees initiatives such as onboarding new team members, leadership development, wellbeing, performance and succession planning, while working closely with the Principal and Executive Team to align people priorities with Dio’s strategic direction.
Looking ahead, her priorities for the next 12 months include a number of initiatives to enhance Dio’s brand as an employer and create an exceptional employee experience. Another focus will be building strong talent pools for both teaching and professional staff to ensure Dio can proactively meet future workforce needs. “I also see technology and analytics as powerful tools to support smarter, data-driven decisions in the recruitment and people space,” she adds.
Melissa believes that attracting and retaining staff is about more than filling roles. At Dio, it means offering professional growth opportunities, strengthening career pathways, and fostering a community where people feel connected to a bigger purpose. She sees particular value in initiatives such as the Dio Teacher Training Institute, which provides practical, hands-on experience for new teachers in a supportive environment, helping to grow and develop future talent.
While interested in every aspect of her portfolio, Melissa is particularly focused on aligning Dio’s history and strategy with strong people policies that will support the school’s continued growth. She is excited to be part of the Dio community and looks forward to learning from the staff, students, and families who make Dio so special.
