Want to give your career a boost? Melannie Thomas, president of the Illawarra chapter of Junior Chambers International (JCI), recommends joining her local group of young leaders.

"Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a membership-driven global network of dedicated young leaders, ages 18 to 40,” Melanie says. 

JCI has groups in about 115 countries and everyone from entrepreneurs to career professionals are welcome to join. “So people who are either wanting to maybe start their own business or wanting to climb up through their own channels within their organisations,” Melannie says.

Founded 21 years ago, the Illawarra Chapter is a relatively small group, with about 20 members and Melannie would like more people to reap the rewards of membership.

A physiotherapist, Melannie first heard about the organisation from her current boss, Shiva Gopalan, general manager of Allied Health and Lifestyle with Warrigal Aged Care. “He's been part of the organisation for a few years and he was actually the national president of JCI last year.”

Always learning

Shiva recommended that she join JCI Illawarra for the leadership and training opportunities it provides.

“We've recently had some training on artificial intelligence, from someone who is currently in Denmark,” Melannie says. “That was really fascinating.

“Changes everywhere, I think is probably the takeaway from that. It's coming into everything that everyone's doing these days.

“We've also got some training about personal brand, coming up in June."

Pathway to leadership

Melannie attended Woonona High School and trained for many years as a dancer. "I participated in several eisteddfods and achieved a high level of classical training," she says. 

But when it came time to study, she followed her passion for aged care, became a physiotherapist and now works at Warrigal Aged Care, the not-for-profit founded in the Illawarra in 1968.

"I am deeply committed to providing high-quality care and support to the older generation,” Melannie says.

She has balanced her career with raising two children, and focussed on furthering her education, completing a Diploma in Business Studies and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. When she was promoted to Allied Health Team Leader, tasked with working with physiotherapists and assistants across Warrigal’s different sites across the region, Melannie knew she wanted to expand her skills again.

So she joined JCI to improve her communication, management and leadership skills.

“I was put into a position of leadership in my workplace and it was a way for me to do that personal development as well as professional,” she says.

Making connections

Melannie went on to serve as executive assistant on the Illawarra board last year, which helped her make "valuable connections".

“Our current local chapter is made up of around 20 members from all different backgrounds,” Melannie says.  

“Every month we have a social gathering on the first Thursday of the month, where we just catch up usually in Wollongong, and have a drink and have a meal, get together socially."

Forming friendships with people from different fields has been a highlight and Melannie has really enjoyed working with past president Marie Russo, of Wollongong’s Access Law Group, and board member Bianca Starcic, of disability enterprise the Flagstaff Group.

“It's been good working with Bianca, and it's a good, good connection to have as well, because Flagstaff actually service Warrigal.”

Who should join

JCI is active in more than 5000 locations globally.

The Illawarra chapter is led by a board, which in 2025 includes: Melannie Thomas (local president); Marie Russo (immediate past president); Matthew Sanderson (vice president); Bianca Starcic (treasurer) and Ruby Jeffery (board director).

Melannie says the group is for anyone interested in business and entrepreneurship, as well as personal development and international cooperation.

"JCI Illawarra is a wonderful group of young like-minded individuals and are always looking to expand their networks locally, nationally and internationally. If you are aged between 18-40 and this sounds like you, JCI Illawarra is the place for you."

JCI Illawarra offers a chance to:

• Network with like-minded people
• Access professional development courses
• Explore leadership opportunities
• Practice public speaking in a safe environment
• Participant in the JCI ‘Mentor Me’ program
• Volunteer at fundraising initiatives
• Join JCI Illawarra committees and the board
• Receive the JCI e-newsletter
• Option to attend JCI conferences around the world

To find out more about JCI visit the national website, the Illawarra chapter's page  or follow the local group's Facebook page to stay up to date with local events.