Melissa Hillebrand

Melissa joined IFM’s Real Estate business (formerly ISPT) in 2023 as Head of Investor Relations. She has more than 30 years' experience across both the private and government sectors in Melbourne and London, covering investment banking, funds management, chartered accounting, and consulting.

When reflecting on her professional life to date, Melissa says that she continues to learn from her experiences and her colleagues and clients; many who have become life friends. When asked what highlights spring to mind, Melissa shares:

“Completing my Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) qualification and obtaining my Masters in Organisational Leadership from Melbourne Business School, in conjunction with Fund Executives Association Ltd (FEAL) - alongside key C-suite executives from our Industry Super clients - was a career highlight, both in terms of learning and growing my professional network”.

“More recently, having the opportunity to be the Secretary to the Investor Steering Group as part of the ISPT/IFM integration was exceptionally interesting, and a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills and deepen connections”.

“Other career highlights include working in a specialist financial services economic development role for the Australian High Commission based in London, where I organised a dinner for Kevin Rudd when he was Prime Minister, alongside Australia’s High Commissioner. Meeting HM Queen Elizabeth at various official functions was also a bit surreal too!”

As Director, Investor Relations within IFM’s Global Client Solutions (GCS), Melissa is embracing the chance to work with a new team and colleagues across the business.

“I have been privileged to be able to maintain continuity with the Real Estate clients and my real estate colleagues as we integrate the newest asset class into the broader IFM platform. It is paramount to me that our clients experience (and, where I can play a role, my colleagues’ experience) is a positive one throughout. In time, I am looking forward to working across more asset classes and utilising my industry networks and relationships for mutual benefit.”

Melissa explains how proud she was of the inaugural IFM Real Estate Investor Day held in November last year, and notes, “It was an opportunity to build on connections made throughout the integration with new colleagues - it felt like a full circle moment.”

When asked what excites Melissa most about IFM and what she feels sets us apart, her answer is resounding.

“Bringing Real Estate into IFM as a new asset class, together with our global scale, presents great opportunities, not only for the growth of the real estate platform, but when combined with IFM’s broader multi-asset class capabilities, we have the potential for greater competitive advantage - especially where the asset classes intersect.”

“I’m excited to see how we might develop further in this area because I believe this combination over time could offer more opportunities for our clients as we seek to deliver long-term sustainable returns, and with my investor facing role and relationships across many sectors, I’m looking forward to being at the forefront of this.”

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys keeping things balanced by spending time with her friends and family, which consists of her husband, her two adult children and their partners, and her ‘inspirational’ mum, who Melissa considers a role model for positive aging! Together, they recently celebrated Melissa’s daughter’s wedding and son’s graduation as a Master of Architecture, and winner of a 30 under 30 award with the Australian Design Review.

“Making space and time to be present not only for others but also ensuring I practice self-care for me through exercise, reading, genuine friendships, enjoying good food and wine, and regular theatre going, is how I strike the balance. I love walking with our two dogs (one being a recent rescue), practising Pilates, trying to improve at ParkRun, skiing in winter, and playing golf all year around - although you wouldn’t know it to see me play!”