Proving age is no barrier to success, The Star Gold Coast has named 33-year-old Jessica Mellor as its new General Manager Hotel, Food & Beverage and Events – claiming the mantle as the company’s youngest female GM.
The Brisbane-born Bond University graduate now oversees a department of more than 1,500 people through the newly-created role, which holds responsibility for The Star Grand hotel, The Star Gold Coast’s 20-plus restaurants and bars and the overall delivery of events of all sizes across the property’s function venues.
Mellor has been in the hospitality industry for around six years, beginning with an Executive Director role with the Aquis Group, which at the time was lobbying government to build its mega-resort and casino development in Cairns.
This experience also saw her move into a Director on the company’s Board and eventually to the CEO role in 2016. Other achievements include returning Aquis’ Casino Canberra business to profit following several years of losses.
Mellor said she was incredibly excited to be part of The Star Gold Coast team and was excited about the company’s focus on developing female leaders.
“As a female General Manager, I want to ensure we have a more diverse and inclusive workforce – where women who have passion and capability are given the opportunities to showcase that and can continue to develop and be promoted wherever possible.
“There’s a saying that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ – so we definitely need to see more women in leadership roles to continue raising confidence among other women that anything is possible.”