Melissa Wilkinson is a seasoned Human Resources executive with over 18 years of experience in leading multinational organizations within the IT, Infrastructure, and Energy sectors. Since 2021, she has held the position of Chief People Officer at Pele Energy Group, where she provides strategic leadership in shaping the Group’s people, culture, and organisational development initiatives.

Her extensive portfolio includes Strategic HR, Talent Management, HR Risk and Governance, Learning and Development, Performance and Reward, Employee Wellness, and Employee Relations. Melissa is instrumental in aligning human capital strategy with business objectives, enhancing organisational capability, and cultivating a high-performance culture rooted in transformational and servant leadership principles.

In addition to her executive role, Melissa contributes to effective governance and oversight as a Director on the CPV1 Talent Board, Phofu SPV, and the Trust Companies overseeing Graspan and Grootspruit.

A passionate advocate for building sustainable organisational capability, Melissa is dedicated to empowering individuals to realize their potential, emphasising leadership, accountability, and long-term impact.

Melissa earned her Bachelor's Degree Cum Laude in Human Resources Management from the University of Johannesburg and is affiliated with the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) and the Golden Key International Honour Society