ARACY Announces New CEO: Melodie Potts Rosevear OAM

The Board of ARACY – the Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth – has today announced the appointment of Melodie Potts Rosevear OAM as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing 9 February 2026.

A respected social impact leader with more than 25 years experience across government, philanthropy, communities and the non-profit sector, Melodie has worked tirelessly to improve outcomes for children and young people facing disadvantage.

Quotes attributable to  Shamal Dass, ARACY Chair:

“Following a comprehensive recruitment process, the Board is confident Melodie is the right leader for this moment in ARACY’s story.”

“It’s an exciting time for ARACY as we chart our future, aspiring to national systems change as a newly structured health promotion charity.”

“Melodie brings extensive leadership experience and a proven track record of delivering results in complex environments. She impressed us with her strategic clarity and nuanced communication across sectors.”

“We look forward to continuing to build ARACY’s capacity to deliver on our purpose under Melodie’s leadership.”

“On behalf of the Board, I want to sincerely thank Prue Warrilow for her outstanding leadership and service to ARACY.  Prue led the constitutional reforms that repositioned ARACY as a health promotion charity, oversaw a significant organisational restructure, strengthened our governance and internal capability, established the WA Children’s Funders Alliance, and championed our Young and Wise youth consultation work. She leaves ARACY well placed for its next chapter, and we wish her the very best.”

Quote – Melodie Potts Rosevear OAM

“ARACY is at an important juncture. Our purpose – every child thriving – remains clear. My focus is practical: build on what works, strengthen partnerships, and scale prevention and early intervention shaped by evidence and young people’s voices.”

“The organisation has a proud history and reputation for driving evidence into action to improve the wellbeing of children and young people and convening actors across the sector to act in their best interests.”

“With initiatives like the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership and the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children underway – and more opportunities on the horizon – I look forward to refining our strategy and building our capabilities to continue to catalyse national systems change as a trusted partner across sectors.”

 

Short biography 

Melodie Potts Rosevear OAM 
Incoming Chief Executive Officer, ARACY 

Melodie has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of ARACY, commencing 9 February 2026. Melodie is a respected social impact leader with more than 25 years working across government, philanthropy, communities and the non-profit sector, improving outcomes for children and young people.  

As the founding CEO of Teach For Australia, she took the organisation from startup to national scale and impact, shifting teacher education system policies and practices and enabling nearly 2,000 individuals to become teachers and future educational leaders. Over 85% of TFA alumni remain working in the education system. Previously, Melodie worked on the founding team at the Cape York Institute, helping drive its early work in community-led reforms to welfare and education policy. In her time at the Boston Consulting Group, she supported community-led design consultations and built an evidence base to inform major reforms to an urban Atlanta school district. 

Melodie holds a Master of Public Policy with distinction from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she was a Kennedy Scholar and received a Rising Star alumni award, and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of North Carolina, where she was a Morehead Scholar. Melodie was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her contribution to education and is passionate about ensuring every child has the chance to thrive.