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Melinda Upton named Minds Count’s new chair
The former co-managing partner of a major global law firm has been elected as the new chair of national not-for-profit organisation Minds Count.
Naomi Neilson
The Minds Count Foundation has elected global co-chair of intellectual property and technology at DLA Piper, Melinda Upton, as its new chairperson. She has committed to seeing the foundation through 2020 and particularly through the coronavirus pandemic that continues to sweep the globe.
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Ms Upton said she is honoured to take on the role of chair and looks forward to ensuring the foundation continues to be a “strong, collaborative voice the profession needs”.
“Since its establishment over a decade ago, the foundation has been at the forefront of building awareness around mental health, depression and anxiety across all areas of the legal profession,” Ms Upton said. “I sincerely thank David Field for serving as our acting chair and leading the board during an important period for the foundation.”
Canon Australia chief legal counsel David Field, who served as the foundation’s acting chair since April 2018, expressed congratulations to Ms Upton.
“Mel has extensive experience as a strategic leader in a global organisation, and Minds Count is fortunate to have the benefit of her capabilities and energy to lead the foundation into the next phase,” Mr Field said.
“Anyone who has spent any time working with Mel will be well aware of her considerable passion for the issue of mental wellbeing in legal workplaces.”
The Minds Count Foundation, previously known as Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation, was founded in 2006 by George and Marie Jepson in honour of their late son, Tristan. In the last 10 years, the foundation has become a leading advocacy organisation tackling psychological distress, anxiety and depression for lawyers and law students.
Looking forward, Ms Upton stressed the activities and advocacy of the foundation will be a point of call in 2020 as the impacts of the pandemic stretch across the profession.
