Mentors in Perth

Mel Jasper

General Counsel Iron Ore

Rio Tinto

Mel was appointed General Counsel Iron Ore in March 2025 (having acted in the role since October 2024).

Mel was a member of the Rio Tinto Iron Ore legal team between 2010 and 2018, primarily handling significant disputes and health and safety incidents, before taking on the role of Mining Executive Iron Ore over 2019-2020.

Mel left Rio Tinto at the end of 2020 and spent time as Counsel at Allens and then General Counsel / General Manager Governance and Assurance at Fremantle Ports. In that role she acted as Board Secretary as well as leading the Port’s legal, compliance, integrity, risk, and governance functions. The role also required significant engagement with government stakeholders.

In January 2024, Mel returned to Rio Tinto as Chief Counsel Iron Ore. She led legal support on traditional owner partnerships, cultural heritage, environment and approvals.

We acknowledge all First Peoples of this land and celebrate their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respects to Elders and Ancestors past present and emerging.

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Content Marketer at Mentor Walks, Tess’s professional life is shaped by a desire to drive gender equality and build an inclusive society. Her passion and experience saw her lead the social media arm of the Teach Us Consent campaign, pulling mandatory consent education for Australian students over the line in March 2022.

She is currently completing her Bachelor of Communications (Social and Political Science) at UTS and is most energised and inspired when surrounded with powerhouse women.