Melody brings extensive experience to her role with a background in marine science and oceanography and extensive experience within ADB as a social development and safeguards specialist, prior to her current role in energy. She previously worked in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in the Hydropower Sector leading work in environment, resettlement, livelihood restoration and indigenous people, prior to taking on the role as the technical leader of the Ocean Resilience and Coastal Adaptation (ORCA or more commonly known as the Healthy Oceans) Program of CCRE. With a career spanning over two decades, she has honed her expertise in environmental sustainability and social development within various contexts. Previously, as the lead of the Healthy Oceans Program, she provided strategic and sustainable solutions to accelerate climate adaptation and build climate resilience in coastal areas, and facilitating or contributing to new or innovative approaches that support environmental sustainability in ADB operations. She is currently in the Energy Sector, Emerging Areas, leading the development of policy and strategies in the energy sector for sustainable and low carbon development in DMCs, to propose integrated solutions in response to DMC needs, leveraging on her key expertise in social and environment safeguards, blue economy and clean energy including ocean and marine renewables. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from James Cook University, Australia and a Master of Science in oceanography from Southampton University, School of Ocean and Earth Science, U.K.