The VCCC Alliance is pleased to welcome Melissa Le Mesurier to the Board, the first consumer to be appointed. Melissa is also Chair of the Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee, bringing her consumer perspective and long-held passion for medical research to the table.
A cancer survivor herself, Melissa received an unexpected diagnosis of bladder cancer in 2017. Following successful treatment thanks to early detection and a clinical trial, her commitment to make a difference for other patients only grew. She became involved with the Australian and New Zealand Urological and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) and still serves on their Consumer Advisory Panel.
Melissa was appointed as Chair of the VCCC Alliance Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee in 2023, providing strategic direction towards integrating the voice of lived experience in program design and delivery, as well as consumer engagement strategies. Her contribution has enhanced the way we engage and involve consumers in meaningful ways.
A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Melissa has always been passionate about medical research, and has brought her expertise to various organisations in the health sector. She has been a Director of the Lung Foundation Australia since 2019 and was the founding Chair of the Royal Children’s Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust (1999-2009), which raised more than $3 million for research and funded about 20 clinical fellows.
Originally trained as a journalist, Melissa has over 25 years’ experience as a senior corporate affairs executive with blue-chip organisations such as Medibank, Kraft/Cadbury, and Foster’s Group. She is currently the Principal of MLM Consulting which advises executives and boards on strategy, reputation, cultural change and communications. She was previously Director, Advocacy and Engagement for Consumers Health Forum of Australia, the nation’s peak body for health consumers.
VCCC Alliance Chief Executive Prof Grant McArthur AO welcomed Ms Le Mesurier’s appointment.
“The VCCC Alliance has always valued consumer input in all programs of work, and Melissa has been a prominent consumer voice in recent years. Her timely appointment reflects that consumers are truly at the heart of the organisation, from governance to project implementation,” Prof McArthur said.
“The appointment has been driven by a foundational consumer engagement strategy that has simultaneously opened doors for consumers to be involved in research and education, as well as supporting consumers to maximise their participation. We are pleased to have Melissa on the board to share her valuable consumer perspectives,” he said.
“The VCCC Alliance has always demonstrated best practice consumer involvement, and I look forward to strengthening this even further as a Director on the board, as well as contributing my business acumen and strategic skills,” Melissa said.
“Everything the VCCC Alliance undertakes is ultimately designed to improve outcomes and enhance equity for people affected by cancer and I am excited to contribute to this goal.”
