Mel Cooper

Global Head of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, Rio Tinto

Mel is the Global Head of Equity Inclusion and Diversity for Rio Tinto. During her 17 years with Rio Tinto, Mel has worked in a variety of roles in both operations and construction projects across Australia and Canada.

She has also led the Everyday Respect Taskforce for Rio Tinto which last year released the report on workplace culture in an unconventionally transparent way.

Mel is passionate about creating an environment where people can have equal access to opportunities and achieve their full potential.

In 2023, Mel was the winner of the QRC Exceptional Woman in Queensland Resources category and also received a Highly Commended Award in the Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources category at the Women in Resources National Awards (WIRNA). The program Mel leads also won the Outstanding Company Initiative Award.

Mel holds degrees in Psychology, Education, Counselling and HR. Prior to working at Rio Tinto, Mel worked in Elite Sport and for the Queensland Police Service where amongst other things she was a firearms instructor.

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Positive change really starts with recognising the systems that are holding women back, and being brave enough to disrupt them. When you can’t do that just find the next right thing to do.

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