With extensive industry knowledge and experience, Melissa brings insight and clarity to her role as a Portfolio Manager. Her experience as both a retail client and a portfolio manager in the energy industry means she can be innovative and responsive in delivering optimal solutions for our clients. With a focus on client relationships, Melissa believes that collaboration helps to bring the best possible energy portfolio outcomes.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. I continue to remind myself of this on a regular basis.
Name a place you have never been to and would like to visit. Why?
Sabah. A remote non-western location with gorgeous beaches, the ability to switch off and spend quality time with my family without technology.
Who or What inspires you?
Those that know me understand my strong interest in fashion. I aim to live by one of Coco Chanel’s infamous quotes:
‘Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman’
What is one of the biggest challenges facing energy customers today?
Affordability.
For large industrial and commercial customers, the early conversation with Senior Management to prepare for price shocks in the current market. I recommend that you understand the business drivers – are you managing to a budget or is the aim to reduce costs? This will assist with establishing a suitable framework to improve the communication and management of electricity costs.
For residential customers, affordability is a continual conversation in households today. Perish the thought of candles being utilised because of the cost of electricity in a OECD country.
What does a typical day look like for you at Edge?
Everyday I speak with our Markets Advisory team to discuss any major events in the energy market and the potential impacts to my customers. We then brainstorm any suitable actions such as client recommendations, forward contracting and negotiations with retailers.
I spend a lot of my time communicating with customers and managing their energy portfolio. I provide them with detailed reporting such as budgets, accruals and invoice reconciliation reports and assist them with cost savings initiatives that are suitable for presentation to their business.
