Our People & Board

A Sydney-based consultant with 28 years’ experience, Sam is widely regarded as one of Asia-Pacific’s leading specialists in integrated wellness business. After an eclectic early career and a host of wellness-related qualifications, Sam followed her passion into the industry in 1999.

She was soon head-hunted across Asia to create spas for five-star hotels and resorts, and launched her own consultancy in 2002. She has since created 100+ spa and wellness concepts across 15 countries — including spas, clinics, health resorts and entire wellness communities, with clients ranging from passionate solopreneurs through to world-leading hospitality operators and property developers.

A WELL Building Accredited Practitioner, international awards judge and 2022 Spa Consultant of the Year, Sam founded ASWELL to give the whole industry one connected voice.

Marie Adele is an internationally respected leader in the spa, wellness and hospitality industries, with more than 35 years of experience building businesses, leading teams and developing strategic partnerships across Australia, the Middle East, Fiji and Asia.

Appointed Director of Partnerships & Funding for the Australasian Wellness Association (ASWELL) in 2026, Marie Adele is responsible for leading the Association’s partnership, sponsorship and funding strategy, fostering collaborations that support innovation, education, advocacy and the long-term growth of the wellness sector.

Widely recognised as the founder of The Spa Side and Marie Adele Co Pty Ltd., she has become one of the industry’s leading voices for purposeful leadership, business excellence and positive industry change. Her career has been defined by connecting people, creating opportunities and helping organisations build lasting impact. Marie Adele is passionate about strengthening the wellness profession and ensuring ASWELL becomes a trusted and influential voice for the industry across Australasia.

Director of Melrose International, Madonna Melrose, has experienced first-hand most facets of the Beauty and Wellness industries throughout her 40-year career.

Beginning her career as a Makeup and Hair Artist, Madonna was soon drawn into the business of beauty and honed her business acumen and skills by branching out into beauty product importation, exportation, distribution, wholesaling and retailing of some of the finest and most boutique products from around the world. Some of you may very well remember Diego Dalla Palma, the Italian makeup range Madonna introduced into the Australian and New Zealand spa markets. She has also owned three successful retail makeup stores across Melbourne and at one stage developed her own skincare and makeup range.

Madonna is as a freelance writer for both trade and consumer publications and has had her work published in several industry magazines including Professional Beauty, Spa+Clinic & Spa and Wellness Magazine. She also held the position of eNews and Online Editor for Spa Australasia and was the Beauty Editor for Living Now Magazine.

It is this in-depth lived expertise of the Wellness and Beauty business wholistically, that now sees Madonna bringing a sharpened edge to her newfound position within the industry.
Madonna and her team at Melrose International access government grants for Australian business’ and NFP’s to grow and thrive by utilising government funding for their future growth in Australia and overseas expansion.

Specialising in the Research and Development Tax Incentive and the Export Marketing and Development Grant, there are also thousands of additional grants across a variety of business industry and activity that every Australian business should be aware of.

Madonna’s tremendously diverse capabilities will serve you best as she knows what to look for in all areas of your wellness and beauty business to maximise your potential when seeking grant opportunities and lodging grant applications.

Cassandra Carey is a commercial strategist, lawyer and wellness entrepreneur with more than 25 years’ experience across international business, governance and brand development. Formerly International Group General Counsel at Clear Channel International, she brings senior executive and board-level experience to her work in the wellness sector.

Cassandra is the founder of Inu8 and Investable Wellness, advising tourism and hospitality businesses on developing credible, commercially viable wellness offerings. A WITT Accredited Professional, she brings to ASWELL a practical combination of governance expertise, commercial clarity and first-hand industry experience.

With over 20 years of international experience across social infrastructure, wellness and hospitality, consulting, and the public sector, Sudharma is a governance and regulatory professional specialising in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, enterprise and financial risk management, and strategic operations. He advises executive leadership teams and boards on governance, financial, regulatory, and strategic risks, helping organisations navigate complex regulatory environments with confidence.

Passionate about building resilient and sustainable organisations, Sudharma focuses on strengthening governance frameworks, embedding risk-based decision-making, and delivering lasting value through effective compliance, risk management, and assurance.

Sudharma brings a distinctive multidisciplinary perspective, underpinned by qualifications spanning health, business, and governance. He holds a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine, an Executive MBA from Switzerland, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance. He is also a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA), reflecting his commitment to excellence in governance and professional leadership.

Judy Chapman is a leading spa and wellness consultant across the hospitality, spa, bathhouse, real estate and skincare industries. With more than 30 years’ experience, she has consulted on inspiring projects across Australia, Bali, Singapore, India, New York and the Middle East.

Former Editor-in-Chief of Spa Asia magazine and author of four books on spas, Judy works with entrepreneurs and purpose-led brands to create meaningful, sustainable, and commercially successful concepts. A respected industry voice, she was a finalist for Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness Consultant of the Year in 2024 and 2025, and regularly judges spa and wellness awards globally.