social entrepreneur
Multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and author Melina Schamroth is in the business of making a difference.
Melina is the Founder of m.a.d.woman (making a difference). In addition to her own charitable efforts, she created hundreds of programs and events to connect people with each other and with their communities.
Melina has inspired and engaged 8000+ people to help her to support nearly 400,000 others facing social, physical, mental or financial disadvantage in Australia and beyond.
Among other accolades, Melina was named The CEO Magazine 2013 Executive of the Year for Community Achievement, co-named 2009 RMIT Communicator of the Year with acclaimed human rights activist The Hon. Michael Kirby.
Her business m.a.d.woman has won awards including the National 2011 Telstra Business Awards – Yellow Pages Social Responsibility Award.
The creator of the international Grateful in April project, Melina also founded and ran the m.a.d.woman foundation for several years (unfortunately having to close it during lockdowns). She also created the unique Single Volunteers dating program and Gals Doin’ Good networking events.
Be it the likes of bushfire and other disaster relief, helping the hungry and homeless or supporting neglected animals, Melina is continually finding innovative ways to motivate and engage people.
Her achievements include engaging teams to cook more than 80,000 meals for hungry and homeless Australians. Other projects have aided thousands of people – Black Saturday bushfire victims, disabled and disadvantaged youth, long-term unemployed and more.
Melina’s unique corporate team building events make a difference. From small groups to large teams, her events unite participants – all while producing tangible outcomes for projects in need.
With no advertising budget, Melina has built the m.a.d.woman brand, attracting significant media coverage including regular television, radio, newspaper and magazine slots.
Prior to starting m.a.d.woman, Melina spent 18 years working in journalism, communication, marketing and PR roles for a variety of global companies and leading organisations in Australia and New Zealand. These include top 100 companies, Government, not for profit groups, private companies and emerging businesses.
Melina studied Philanthropy and Social Investment at Swinburne University in addition to doing extensive pro bono work for not-for-profit organisations in Australasia.
Melina’s books – How to be m.a.d. (making a difference) and m.a.d. (making a difference) in a green way – provide people with clever, practical and creative ways they can contribute to their communities, help others and reduce their environmental impact.
She has recently launched the m.a.d. shop selling a new social enterprise product range.
melina’s inspiration
Melina began her career as a journalist in Hawke’s Bay, reporting mainly crime. However, an amazing and brave young child she met changed her life.
Melina wrote a series of stories about Eve van Grafhorst, an inspirational young girl with HIV/Aids, whose story won the hearts of New Zealanders after she was ostracised from her home in Australia.
A special friendship with Eve, and Eve’s incredible contribution to her community during her short life, has been a key inspiration for Melina’s own charitable journey. In more than 25 years, Melina has helped nearly 400,000 people.
Multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and author Melina Schamroth is in the business of making a difference.
Melina is the Founder of m.a.d.woman (making a difference). In addition to her own charitable efforts, she created hundreds of programs and events to connect people with each other and with their communities.
Melina has inspired and engaged 8000+ people to help her to support nearly 400,000 others facing social, physical, mental or financial disadvantage in Australia and beyond.
Among other accolades, Melina was named The CEO Magazine 2013 Executive of the Year for Community Achievement, co-named 2009 RMIT Communicator of the Year with acclaimed human rights activist The Hon. Michael Kirby.
Her business m.a.d.woman has won awards including the National 2011 Telstra Business Awards – Yellow Pages Social Responsibility Award.
The creator of the international Grateful in April project, Melina also founded and ran the m.a.d.woman foundation for several years (unfortunately having to close it during lockdowns). She also created the unique Single Volunteers dating program and Gals Doin’ Good networking events.
Be it the likes of bushfire and other disaster relief, helping the hungry and homeless or supporting neglected animals, Melina is continually finding innovative ways to motivate and engage people.
Her achievements include engaging teams to cook more than 80,000 meals for hungry and homeless Australians. Other projects have aided thousands of people – Black Saturday bushfire victims, disabled and disadvantaged youth, long-term unemployed and more.
Melina’s unique corporate team building events make a difference. From small groups to large teams, her events unite participants – all while producing tangible outcomes for projects in need.
With no advertising budget, Melina has built the m.a.d.woman brand, attracting significant media coverage including regular television, radio, newspaper and magazine slots.
Prior to starting m.a.d.woman, Melina spent 18 years working in journalism, communication, marketing and PR roles for a variety of global companies and leading organisations in Australia and New Zealand. These include top 100 companies, Government, not for profit groups, private companies and emerging businesses.
Melina studied Philanthropy and Social Investment at Swinburne University in addition to doing extensive pro bono work for not-for-profit organisations in Australasia.
Melina’s books – How to be m.a.d. (making a difference) and m.a.d. (making a difference) in a green way – provide people with clever, practical and creative ways they can contribute to their communities, help others and reduce their environmental impact.
She has recently launched the m.a.d. shop selling a new social enterprise product range.
melina’s inspiration
Melina began her career as a journalist in Hawke’s Bay, reporting mainly crime. However, an amazing and brave young child she met changed her life.
Melina wrote a series of stories about Eve van Grafhorst, an inspirational young girl with HIV/Aids, whose story won the hearts of New Zealanders after she was ostracised from her home in Australia.
A special friendship with Eve, and Eve’s incredible contribution to her community during her short life, has been a key inspiration for Melina’s own charitable journey. In more than 25 years, Melina has helped nearly 400,000 people.
Eve van Grafhorst