Melanie Coker

BSc(Hons), PhD

Board Member

Melanie first became a board member of the Summit Road Society in 2013, as the representative for the Spreydon/Heathcote community board. She has remained as a board member ever since. Melanie appreciates the huge difference the society and its volunteers make to the regeneration of the Port Hills and recreational opportunities for all the residents of Christchurch.

Christchurch born and raised, Melanie has a background as a research scientist, firstly at the University of Otago in the field of cancer genetics, then in the Free Radical Research Lab at the Christchurch campus of Otago University, completing a PhD in biochemistry in 2010.

Melanie also has business experience, founding the education company AHeadStart Ltd in 2009.

Melanie was first elected to the Spreydon/Heathcote community board in 2013 and is currently the city councillor for the Spreydon ward of the Christchurch City Council.

Melanie and her partner Michael have a six-year-old daughter.