Vale Melanie McQuire

Former chief executive and managing director of Maple-Brown Abbott Melanie McQuire passed away this week after a four-year battle with ovarian cancer.

McQuire's family announced the news, asking for donations to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

"It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the news that our beautiful Mel has passed away after her battle with ovarian cancer," the announcement said.

"Mel was one of a kind. Smart, sharp, funny, fiercely loyal and a wonderful friend to so many. She had a strength about her that was impossible not to admire, a brilliant mind and a way of making the people around her feel loved and supported.

"She lived life on her own terms, and even in the hardest of times, she remained true to herself. There are so many people whose lives are better for having known Mel, and she will be deeply missed by all of us lucky enough to have had her in our lives."

McQuire spent seven years at Macquarie before moving to Lazard Asset Management for eight years, where she worked as hear of product and operations before being named chief operating officer for Asia Pacific.

She took on the chief operating officer role at Maple-Brown Abbott in 2020 before taking on the chief executive role in 2024, replacing Sophia Rahmani who moved to Magellan as chief executive.

Rahmani told Financial Standard McQuire was "the one who gave so much and took so little".

"She was fiercely loyal, incredibly smart and filled with common sense, universally loved and respected, wickedly funny and had a smile that could light up any room," Rahmani said.

"Outside of work, she was a volunteer for RizeUp, spending many hours over weekends setting up housing for those impacted by domestic and family violence. And after her diagnosis, she took time to build awareness and fundraising for ovarian cancer, including through Women In Super and the Witchery 'White Shirt Campaign' (in partnership with OCRF).

"I worked with her at Macquarie and then we remained friends. She left Macquarie for a key role in Asia Pacific for Lazard, and then when I got to Maple-Brown Abbott, I was very fortunate to hire her as chief operating officer. She covered my role when I was on maternity leave in 2021 and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022. In 2024 when I left Maple-Brown Abbott, she stepped up into the role of acting chief executive, and led the sale of the firm to Antipodes, and is particularly known for the great care she took with all staff in supporting them through the changes."