Danielle Merlino
Legal Counsel
Cancer Council NSW
Danielle is an outstanding member of the Cancer Council legal team and not-for-profit legal community. She has shown exceptional leadership, responsibility, and initiative at an early stage of her career.
Changes within the legal team in 2021 meant that for several months, Danielle managed the legal function and its volunteers. In recognition of this contribution, she received an 'exceptional' performance rating, and was named finalist in the 2021 CEO Awards for Employee of the Year.
Danielle provides high-quality, timely legal support across the organisation. In 2021-22, she managed over 250 matters across specialised areas of law, and supported Cancer Council on strategically important projects, including:
- an $8.1 million agreement with the Minderoo Foundation funding work to eliminate cervical cancer in the Western Pacific;
- managing a large portfolio of contested estates matters, defending $643,000 of contested bequest income; and
- a cross-divisional project to help management understand and navigate the impact of new Charitable Fundraising Regulations (NSW) on Cancer Council activities.
Danielle has held previous non-legal roles within the organisation, and draws on this experience to provide informed insight and anticipate issues before they arise, making her a valued business partner to several divisions within Cancer Council.