Melissa is a partner in the business and technology risk advisory practice at Grant Thornton UAE where she is the subject matter expert for ERM and FS Lead for that practice. With a particular interest in risk information selection and communication, particularly its visualization, Melissa works closely with boards to engage in strategic dialogues and calculated risk-taking through the mitigation of uncertainty in decision making outcomes and enhancement of risk reporting practices. This includes exercises such as corporate governance gap assessment, internal audit, or ERM, which are enabled by data analytics, dashboarding and other visually enhanced management reporting practices. Her recent efforts have been in risk/performance data governance, management and reporting to support informed risk taking as well as the enhancement of data driven decision making culture at various organizations. Additionally, Melissa leads Grant Thornton UAE's family business industry practice through which she works with GCC family businesses and family offices to tailor transformation journeys that include Advisory, Tax or Assurance services that are fit for their needs. From corporate governance enhancement to bringing family "conglomerates" closer to IPO readiness, and everything in between, Melissa strives to support family offices in their succession planning and growth aspirations. Melissa is convinced by the power of believing in and empowering people to be at their best and that doing well in business doesn't preclude one from doing good by one's community. As such, Melissa drives Grant Thornton UAE's internal and external community initiatives including the firm's ESG Strategy.In addition to her contributions through board seats, Melissa also volunteers her time to coach and mentor professionals, advise tech startups on strategic direction and appears in various speaking/training engagements for risk management, digital enablement, business transformation, strategic decision making, risk management and communication. Melissa attends the annual RIMS conference and the Global IIA conference and is an active member of both.Expertise: Enterprise Risk Management, Political Risk Management, Strategic Growth Advisory in Emerging markets, Family Business Advisory, Financial Risk Management, Strategic Risk Management, Alternative Risk Transfer, Risk Management, Change Management, Regulatory Change Management Model, Financial Services, Banking, insurance, Hospitality, Education, Healthcare